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How can McDonald’s “Big Mac” hamburger help economists? Discuss the Big Mac Index – a global gauge of currency value through the world’s most iconic burger. About this lesson The Big Mac index was invented by The Economist in 1986 as a guide to whether currencies are at their “correct” level. Every year the index compares the price of a McDonald’s “Big Mac” hamburger in different countries around the world. Use this lesson to help students: Understand what the Big Mac Index is Consider why the Big Mac was chosen Debate whether there is a better item for a global index. Looking for more Topical Talk lessons? Explore our free resources.

What’s more important: AI’s potential for progress? Or protecting the planet? While AI is helping people find solutions to climate change, it’s also contributing to the problem. By 2030, the amount of CO2 produced by AI data centres will equate to roughly 40% of the annual emissions of the United States. Use this one-hour lesson to help your students: Learn about AI and its uses Discuss the progress of AI and its impact on sustainability Think critically to decide where AI should be used around the world

April 22nd is Earth Day, and this resource engages students with big questions about climate action. They’re challenged to consider the specific steps they can take over different timescales, to discuss the obstacles and to question where responsibilities lie. This resource will be used by schools worldwide as part of the Global Conversation from April 20th - June 1st 2020. Follow the discussion at BurnetNewsClub.com

A POSITIVE HUMAN FUTURE: Designing the sustainable city of tomorrow Length: 4x sessions, 4 hours total, but you can pick out activities that interest you the most! Age: 9+. Older students should spend more time on sessions 2 and 3 Group size: This workshop would work best for 10-25 students This workshop was sponsored by PA Consulting, an innovation and transformation consultancy. The workshop is designed to support PA’s Raspberry Pi competition 2020, an annual contest which challenges school and college students nationwide to put their innovation and programming skills to the test. It can be used by schools taking part in the competition as a way to generate ideas for competition entries. However, this resource can also be used by schools that are not taking part in the competition. We hope lots of schools will enjoy using it to facilitate inspiring discussions in their classrooms about the future of cities! It’s a great subject to stimulate creative thinking and debate about real world issues, from social mobility to healthcare. In this workshop, students will: Build knowledge around the history of cities Explore and debate the opportunities and challenges of modern city living Unpick the data informing us about cities Research and evaluate case studies of technological innovation in cities Generate ideas of their own for future cities This resource helps to develop the following skills: SCEPTICISM: Questioning information to find the truth REASONING: Justifying a viewpoint SPEAKING UP: Confidently communicating a viewpoint OPEN-MINDEDNESS: Listening to other viewpoints These resources were produced by The Economist Educational Foundation, an independent charity that was set up by The Economist magazine. Combining the Economist’s journalistic know-how with teaching expertise, we specialise in supporting teachers to facilitate high-quality classroom discussions about the news.

This resource looks at the purpose of political cartoons and how an expert produces them. It will take 60 minutes to run and is aimed at 10- to 15-year-olds. We suggest running it with 12 to 30 students. Teachers are encouraged to adapt it as necessary for their students’ needs. – This lesson helps to develop the following news literacy skills: SPEAKING UP: Confidently communicating a viewpoint SCEPTICISM: Questioning information to find the truth – This resource was produced by The Economist Educational Foundation, an independent charity that was set up by The Economist magazine. We combine The Economist’s journalistic know-how with teaching expertise, and we specialise in supporting teachers to facilitate high-quality classroom discussions about the news.

This resource introduces students to the climate emergency and gets them discussing a range of big questions. It’s suitable for students aged 10 and over. This lesson helps to develop the following news literacy skills: SPEAKING UP: Confidently communicating a viewpoint OPEN-MINDEDNESS: Listening to other viewpoints This resource was produced by The Economist Educational Foundation, an independent charity that was set up by The Economist magazine. We combine The Economist’s journalistic know-how with teaching expertise, and we specialise in supporting teachers to facilitate high-quality classroom discussions about the news.

CHECK OUT OUR MORE RECENT ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY RESOURCES HERE This unit of work covers understanding and analysis of this important and topical issue. Students are asked to evaluate the facts and give their opinion through a range of activities. This issue asks students to create poems to reflect their opinions. ----------- INTRODUCTION TO THE ISSUE The European Union (the EU for short) is a club with 28 member countries from Europe. Its purpose is mainly to make it easier for member countries to trade (buy and sell things) with each other. There are laws and rules that member countries have to follow. On June 23rd Britain will hold a referendum in which voters will choose whether to stay in or to leave the EU. The outcome will have a big effect on our economy, on politics and on Europe.

This unit of work covers understanding and analysis of this important and topical issue. Students are asked to evaluate the facts and give their opinion through a range of activities. This resource is an issue that students cover in the Burnet News Club (www.burnetnewsclub.com) ----------- INTRODUCTION TO THE ISSUE The UK is considering a new draft Investigatory Powers Bill. This is a really important law, because it would affect your rights. Your rights are the things that you are entitled to do or to have. This issue asks students to discuss and evaluate the implications of the Bill on our rights. It offers a great opportunity to explore British values as required in UK schools.