Global Competence, Citizenship & Relationship Building
Build meaningful connections with peers from around the world while developing cultural awareness, empathy, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.
IGLOBAL EXPLORERS PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Watch the World Become Your Students’ Classroom
The IGlobal Explorers Program brings middle school students together to join live virtual sessions with international peers to investigate real-world challenges, build relationships with international peers, and design innovative projects.
WHAT IS IGLOBAL EXPLORERS?
Global Learning Beyond Borders
IGlobal Explorers is an 8-week virtual exchange program that connects middle school students from around the world through weekly live Zoom sessions. Guided by trained undergraduate educators by the University of Illinois and other partner universities, students engage in collaborative projects, meaningful discussions, and inquiry-based activities centered around global themes and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Each session encourages students to ask questions, share perspectives, and work together with international peers while developing communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
WHAT STUDENTS GAIN
Building Skills That Last Beyond the Program
Every IGlobal experience is intentionally designed to help students grow academically, socially, and globally. Through authentic international collaboration, students develop valuable skills that prepare them for future learning and an increasingly connected world.
Communication Skills & Language Learning
Strengthen communication skills through authentic international collaboration while building confidence and enthusiasm for learning and using English.
Critical Thinking Around Sustainability
Investigate real-world sustainability challenges through inquiry-based learning and develop creative solutions that connect local actions to global impact.
Digital Literacy & Confidence
Build the digital communication and collaboration skills needed to succeed in today’s connected world through authentic virtual learning experiences.
Early Connection to Top Universities
Gain early exposure to world-class universities, including the University of Illinois, while exploring future academic interests, higher education opportunities, and career pathways.
FLEXIBLE IMPLEMENTATION
Designed To Fit Your School’s Schedule
Every school is different, and IGlobal is built with flexibility in mind. Partner schools choose the implementation model that best supports their students, schedules, and instructional goals. Weekly sessions are typically offered during the morning (8:00–10:00 a.m. U.S. Central Time), with multiple meeting times available throughout the week. Our team works closely with every partner school to determine the schedule and implementation plan that works best for them. Schools commonly participate by:
YOUR ROLE AS A PARTNER TEACHER
IGlobal is designed to minimize additional planning for classroom teachers. University of Illinois undergraduate instructors facilitate every session, prepare all instructional materials, and guide students through each activity. Partner teachers simply help students access the program and support participation throughout the experience. Teachers are not required to be physically present in the sessions, though we prefer you do so. Teachers are asked to:
MEET THE TEACHERS
Learn About Our Passionate Educators
Every IGlobal session is facilitated by undergraduate students who are passionate about education, global collaboration, and student success. Instructors bring expertise from fields including education (early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary), STEM (science, technology, math, engineering), speech and hearing sciences, English, and many others, creating engaging and well-rounded learning experiences for students. Before entering the virtual classroom, instructors complete extensive training from the University of Illinois in online teaching, inquiry-based learning, cross-cultural communication, collaborative teaching practices, and multilingual instruction. Throughout each semester, instructors continue receiving coaching, mentorship, and feedback from experienced Lead Teachers and program staff to ensure every session provides a high-quality learning experience for your students.
WHAT DOES AN IGLOBAL SESSION LOOK LIKE?
Every IGlobal session is built around active participation rather than passive listening. Students collaborate with international classmates through discussions, creative activities, and inquiry-driven projects that encourage curiosity and exploration. Watch the following video as Ryan, one of our undergraduate instructors, walks you through a typical outline of a session. He also outlines what is expected of middle school students joining each session.
THIS SEMESTER’S JOURNEY
From Your Schoolyard to the World
This semester, middle school students will become Schoolyard Scientists, transforming their own schoolyards into living laboratories for scientific discovery. Inspired by the work and vision of environmental educator and National Geographic Explorer Eshadi Mendis of Sri Lanka, the IGlobal Explorers Program has adapted her innovative concept into a semester-long global learning experience. Guided by undergraduate teachers, students will investigate local biodiversity, contribute observations through citizen science, collaborate with classrooms around the world, and develop creative solutions to support healthier, more sustainable school environments. The semester concludes with an International Student Symposium, where students present their research and environmental action plans to an international audience.
CELEBRATING STUDENT SUCCESS
Recognizing Growth Throughout the Semester
Every student’s participation and accomplishments are celebrated throughout the IGlobal experience.
Session-Based Recognition
Throughout the semester, a select number of students are recognized for outstanding participation, collaboration, creativity, leadership, and engagement. These students receive a digital recognition certificate and are celebrated at the conclusion of each weekly session.
End of Term Recognition
At the conclusion of the program, all participating students are recognized during a culminating international symposium with an official Certificate of Participation in recognition of their commitment and growth.
WHAT OTHER INTERNATIONAL TEACHERS ARE SAYING
Hear From Our Partner Schools
Student Engagement
Our students had a wonderful experience with IGlobal! The 4-week online course brought together students from different countries, creating a fantastic intercultural learning environment. Our students absolutely loved it and were highly engaged throughout. Thank you for this inspiring global experience!
Safiye Bayrak, Pendik Science and Art Center (Türkiye)
Critical Thinking
“Our students showed a high level of interest in the digital online interactive courses. The learning content and themes went beyond traditional mastery learning and placed greater emphasis on critical thinking and the application of life competencies.”
Ying-Jui Chen, Jiande Elementary School (Taiwan)
English Language Development
“My students got interested in international communication thanks to IGlobal. They got to know more and practice their English every single week.”
Veronika Yurova, Vorotynsk Secondary School No. 1 (Russia)
Global Perspectives
“Participating in IGlobal was an enriching and inspiring experience. The program created a unique opportunity for university our students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds to collaborate on meaningful projects. Working together across borders encouraged the exchange of ideas, strengthened teamwork and communication skills, and provided valuable global perspectives. The supportive environment and emphasis on innovation made the experience both educational and personally rewarding. IGlobal is an excellent platform for fostering international cooperation and preparing participants for a globally connected future.”
Didem Uğur, Ankara University DF Private School (Türkiye)
Collaboration
“Our first participation at IGlobal during the Fall 2025 was beyond great! The students are always eager to learn and interact with students worldwide! The program really helped them build friendships across the globe and strengthen their knowledge about the SDGs as well.”
Francine Rivera, Morong National High School (Philippines)
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS THEMSELVES
Global Learning, Lasting Impact
“The IGlobal program has been an exciting experience for students like me. It has not only given me and fellow students the ability to celebrate the differences of others, but see how different parts of the world function through the laid out lessons each teacher taught with a lignering excitement in the air. It has given me multiple moments to cherish, and friends to relish. I look forward to more programs like this.”
Arvi Villanueva (Philippines)
“'IGlobal was a wonderful journey for me. Meeting students from various parts of the world online showed me how much we can learn from each other. The lessons were very engaging and fun. I am so glad I part of this program!”
Selin Bayrak (Türkiye)
PROGRAM HISTORY
Explore Previous Terms
2025-2026 Term 2
Students explored SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 4: Quality Education through the novel Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Together, they investigated themes of empathy, inclusion, kindness, and social sustainability before creating artwork and projects that reflected how they could make their own schools more welcoming, supportive, and inclusive communities.
2025-2026 Term 1
Students explored SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by imagining life on the fictional IGlobal Planet. Working with international peers, they designed sustainable communities, created virtual community centers to share cultural traditions, and explored how innovation and responsible consumption can help create a more sustainable future.
2024-2025 Term 2
Students explored SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 15: Life on Land through creative, hands-on projects focused on protecting Earth's ecosystems. Students designed their own sustainable marketplaces, considered how businesses can support environmental conservation, and created superheroes capable of solving real-world challenges affecting our oceans, wildlife, and natural environments.
2024-2025 Term 1
Students explored SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 13: Climate Action by investigating where food comes from, the importance of reducing food waste, and how climate change impacts communities around the world. Throughout the semester, students discovered ways to make a positive difference in their own communities, culminating in an action-focused art project that encouraged them to raise awareness about an issue they were passionate about.
2023-2024 Term 2
Students explored SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by examining what makes communities healthy, safe, and sustainable. Through collaborative discussions and design challenges, students learned about the features of sustainable cities before creating their own city plans that promoted well-being, environmental responsibility, and community connection.
JOIN OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY TODAY
Bring IGlobal to Your School
Whether you're looking to enrich classroom instruction, expand global learning opportunities, or connect students with peers around the world, IGlobal Explorers provides a meaningful, engaging, and flexible experience for schools of all sizes.
1310 S. Sixth St.
Champaign, IL 61820-6925
Phone: 217-333-0960