Exploring the themes of 2040 (UK)
In this lesson, students will be immersed in and connect with the documentary film 2040. Students begin by clarifying the key terms used in the 2040 documentary. They then work in groups to investigate some of the challenges for our future as identified in the documentary (including energy, transport, and food production). Students undertake research into their assigned challenge and then share their findings with the class. They then work in groups to brainstorm solutions to their challenge. Finally, students are invited to watch and reflect on the 2040 documentary film.
United Kingdom , Ireland
Fact sheet , Worksheet , Activity

Overview
In this lesson, students will be immersed in and connect with the documentary film 2040. Students begin by clarifying the key terms used in the 2040 documentary. They then work in groups to investigate some of the challenges for our future as identified in the documentary (including energy, transport, and food production).
Students undertake research into their assigned challenge and then share their findings with the class. They then work in groups to brainstorm solutions to their challenge. Finally, students are invited to watch and reflect on the 2040 documentary film.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion.
Learning intentions:
- Students will understand some of the key concepts and messages of the 2040 documentary film.
- Students will understand how a documentary film can engage, inform and inspire.
- Students will understand that solutions to global environmental and social challenges already exist.
Credits and acknowledgements:
Curriculum material has been developed and written by Cool.org. UK curriculum edits and mapping has been by Together Films.
Cool.org, GoodThing Productions and Regen Studios would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of Good Pitch Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation, Global Health Film and our philanthropic partners in the development of these teaching resources.
Watching the film
Watch the full film with your class by filling in this form. If you have any questions, please contact the Together Films team at 2040@togetherfilms.org
By purchasing an educational screening licence of 2040, schools can use the film for several types of screenings such as; screenings in classrooms (both in-person and virtually), screenings with pupils and parents, and screenings for fundraising purposes.
Curriculum mapping
This lesson is designed to tune your students in to the concepts covered in the film, and to better prepare them for viewing. Each lesson will immerse students in and connect with the documentary film 2040. Students will then be better equipped to watch the 2040 documentary and explore existing solutions to the filmmaker’s concerns about the future. Finally, students reflect on their experiences of the film.
Students will need to obtain more information about the issues they are going to investigate. They can identify questions of interest and research these either in small groups or on their own. Once information is gathered, it can be shared using chosen communication methods e.g. short presentations. Students can continue finding out by completing a range of investigations, including gathering data. They use appropriate methods to present and communicate what they have found out.
What you'll need
- Lesson materials.
- Student Worksheets – one copy per student. Device capable of presenting a video to the class.
- Device capable of creating audiovisual recordings, such as an iPad or camera.
Lesson materials
More from this unit

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