HS Environmental Science Visits UN Headquarters

High School Environmental Science Students Shine at UN Headquarters in Wildlife Protection Negotiation Simulation

Last month, our High School Environmental Science classes were invited to the United Nations headquarters to engage in a negotiation simulation focusing on world wildlife protection laws. This was their second field trip as part of the Sparkling Science: Wildlife Crime program, spearheaded by Dr. Silke Schweiger from the Natural History Museum Vienna’s Herpetology group, in collaboration with the UNODC, and sponsored by Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation.

35 AISV students from grades 9 to 12 were joined by 15 students from Sacre Coeur Graz to collaboratively represent 10 fictional countries. The simulation allowed them to step into the shoes of diplomats, grappling with real-world challenges and proposing solutions to pressing issues related to wildlife conservation. The students delved into the complexities of global wildlife protection laws, addressing issues such as habitat loss, poaching, and climate change impacts on biodiversity.

As AIS Vienna continues to prioritize environmental education, this unique experience at the United Nations serves as a milestone in the school's commitment to nurturing environmentally conscious citizens.