Global Education Week encourages students to Go Explore!

Inspired by the theme Go Explore!, the weeklong celebration featured guest speakers, film screenings, field trips, hands-on activities, theme days, and community engagement opportunities.

The GEW planning committee was led by Doug Kirchner, social studies curriculum leader and gifted education teacher, and included teachers Bethany Chase, Marc-André Clermont, Janine Despines, Jessica Peconi, Fred Peskorski, Ron Sivillo, Tracy Smith, and Erika Valentine. Nearly 30 student leaders played vital roles in planning and coordinating events throughout the week, including Stella Birmingham, Augusta Bottonari, Bea Boughner, Marly Brown, Kate Casali, Prachi Chetlur, Salvatore Crawford, Noshi Dabas, Tahir Disbudak, Lucy Dowds, Thomas Garces, Adham Hendawy, Caty Howard, Cammie Hull, Lylah Kateeb, Prasuna Kharel, Prisa Kharel, Ojasi Madhekar, Olivia Mamakos, Addison Nicklas, Melice Rubino, Skanda Sathya Vagheeswar, Emiliano Sobarzo, Gigi Spina, Usha Timsina, Safiye Turgut and Rex Wantje.

“The idea of Go Explore! is about having a global mindset and valuing the rich, diverse world around us,” Mr. Kirchner said. “We wanted students to see the opportunities available not just through travel, but right here in Pittsburgh – a vibrant city with global connections.”

The celebration kicked-off with a school-wide embarkment assembly highlighting the many activities ahead. Science teacher Russ Hoburg shared his own experiences exploring the world through Kids Helping Kids and spoke about his brother Dr. Woody Hoburg’s experience as a NASA astronaut – encouraging students to pursue their dreams wherever they may lead.

Upper St. Clair families collectively speak more than 40 languages, showcasing the district’s global diversity. A welcome video featured students and staff greeting the audience in dozens of those languages, accompanied by a photo montage of travel experiences from around the world.

Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to participate in fun and informative activities that included Lingo Bingo, a global engineering challenge, a scavenger hunt, global trivia, a cultural talent show and a Global Security Summit that featured a panel of experts in U.S. Army logistics, AI integration, trade, economic policy, and U.S. foreign relations. Film screenings included the documentaries, “Jane Goodall: The Hope,” “Inventing Tomorrow,” and “On the Way to School.” 

In addition, many students ventured beyond the classroom during field trips to the Robert Clemente Museum, City of Asylum and the Maxo Vanka murals in Millvale. Others explored Pittsburgh’s immigrant roots through a Strip District Scavenger Hunt.

Community service played a meaningful role in GEW activities. The high school’s Hope for Ghana Club, led by juniors Augusta Bottanari and Olivia Mamakos, organized a Walk for Water. Students walked four laps around the high school track while carrying one-gallon water jugs – symbolizing the daily journey many Ghanaians make to access drinking water.

“Their funding goal was surpassed, which means the community of Dekpevie, Ghana will be able to build a clean water well,” Mr. Kirchner said. “Our students participated in a simple, yet profound act and got to directly shape the lives of others they’ve never met.”

Students also held a competitive donation drive to support families served by Hello Neighbor and the South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM). Organized by The Pack and Impact Club and the Wing Club, the initiative collected more than 1,000 pounds of food pantry items, coats, diapers and school supplies – with the Spanish Club leading contributions.

For the first time, USC families were invited to a Global Gala, held Thursday evening at the high school. This free, family-friendly event featured international foods, a cultural talent show, a human library, cooking demonstrations, and a global Friendsgiving potluck. Families and students shared homemade dishes representing cultures and traditions from around the world.

GEW concluded with a Cultural Talent Show featuring 20 student performers and a Global Awareness Fair with interactive displays from more than 30 student organizations. Although the celebration spans just one week, organizers hope the impact lasts much longer.

“The goal of GEW every year is to bring all of USCHS together in an academic context for an entire week,” Mr. Kirchner said. “We hope students learn something new about their peers’ and teachers’ diverse cultural heritages, and we want everyone (staff included) to gain more knowledge about pressing global issues.”

This year, GEW extended beyond the high school to engage families and the broader community.

“GEW reminds us how much we have in common, despite very different family backgrounds, ethnicities, and histories,” Mr. Kirchner said. “It helps us appreciate more consciously the rich blend of people that make up USC, it exposes us to real-world global issues, and intends to inspire action toward humanitarian causes.”