Maple Bear Global Connections | Student Changemakers
At Maple Bear, students do more than study. They take action. Through the Maple Bear Global Connections program, young learners use curiosity, creativity, and teamwork to solve real problems. And their impact goes far beyond the classroom.
One of Maple Bear’s core goals is to inspire students to become problem solvers, critical thinkers, and leaders. The Global Connections program makes that possible.
“I’ve always been interested in how students can be changemakers and leaders. The Global Connections program seemed like a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way to make change in their communities,” said Nancy Steinhauer, who leads the program at Maple Bear Global Schools.
Global Connections Projects Make Meaningful Impacts
The Maple Bear Global Connections program gives students a chance to solve real problems. They use inquiry, collaboration, and creativity to find answers. Along the way, they also build bonds with students from other countries.
Below are three projects that made a real and lasting difference.
Maple Bear South Korea and Maple Bear Hong Kong
Maple Bear Suseong in South Korea and Maple Bear Yau Tong in Hong Kong worked together on a Junior Kindergarten science project. Both schools explored forest ecosystems and the effects of deforestation on animals.
First, the two schools connected through a live stream. Then, they investigated how deforestation affects different species. Finally, they shared their discoveries in a class book. The project also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, giving it a strong global purpose.
Maple Bear Poland and Maple Bear Angola
Maple Bear schools in Poland and Angola teamed up to study water. Over five days, students shared ideas and explored how water filtration works — and why it matters.
In addition, students in Kraków, Poland went a step further. They organized a park cleanup to protect their local environment. As a result, they turned classroom learning into direct community action.
Maple Bear Mexico and Maple Bear South Korea
A Maple Bear school in Mexico and one in South Korea came together to study food agriculture. Together, they explored risks that affect access to food and developed creative solutions.
Moreover, students in Mexico put their ideas into action. They organized a food drive and donated food to people in need. In doing so, they made a direct impact on a real-world problem.
How the Maple Bear Global Connections Program Shapes Students
The Maple Bear Global Connections program builds skills that last a lifetime. In fact, it develops competencies students carry well beyond the classroom.
Through the program, students:
- Gain cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Build international friendships
- Practice English with peers from around the world
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Learn to lead and collaborate across borders
This also puts Canadian bilingual education into real practice. Students use English in meaningful conversations — not just classroom exercises.
Furthermore, lessons align with the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), a framework that supports the United Nations vision for global citizenship education. The IDGs cover five dimensions: Being, Thinking, Relating, Collaborating, and Acting.
Each dimension helps students grow into stronger global citizens. As a result, they do not just learn about global issues — they learn how to address them.
Discover what makes Maple Bear students stand out →
Inspiring the Next Generation of Global Citizens
The Maple Bear Global Connections program does three things well. First, it builds a sense of community across diverse schools. Second, it teaches the skills students need to shape the world. Third, it tackles real environmental and global challenges.
Moreover, the program uses Maple Bear’s global network as a strength. Every school in the network can join. So every student gets the chance to grow into a leader and a changemaker.
In the end, students in the Maple Bear Global Connections program are not just preparing for the future. They are already building it.
