In this lesson, students explore long-term thinking, analyze federal spending, and design a government budget that balances present and future needs, culminating in a reflection and discussion on intergenerational responsibility.

Inquire: Students watch a TED video by Roman Krznaric called “How to Be a Good Ancestor.” It allows students to see sustainability from a future perspective.

Investigate: Students explore usaspending.gov and examine spending by federal agency in the fiscal year 2022. In groups, students design a budget for the federal government. Some students represent people living now, while other students represent people living seven generations in the future.

Inspire: Students reflect on what it feels like to represent those living now and those living seven generations in the future. Finally, students share, comment, and deepen each other’s ideas and opinions.