Students get hands-on in acclaimed project

A PROGRAM being run at Surf Coast Secondary College and other schools around the world has been recognised as one of the top 100 global education innovations.

Hands on Learning, a program supported by Australian aid and development agency Save the Children, was included on the list compiled by education non-profit HundrED.

The school-based practical program increases student achievement by creating opportunities for young people to discover their talents and experience success through literal “hands-on” learning.

Jan Juc landscaper James Clyne is overseeing the program at Surf Coast Secondary College, in which students are converting a second-hand shipping container into an indoor-outdoor hub, complete with kitchen and an outdoor deck with shade sail and vertical garden.

Two groups of 10 students from Year 7 to Year 10 have been working one day a week each on the project, which will hopefully be finished by the end of the year.

“Instead of sitting in front of a textbook for eight hours, this gives them a bit of a break and they come back recharged for the next day,” Mr Clyne said.

He said all the rooms in the school had otherwise been accounted for, so the hub was a way for the students to not only have their own space but build it themselves from start to finish.

“They’ve done everything – from framing the internal walls, to insulating, to cladding, to the flooring.

“Once they all get their roles and know what to do, you’d be surprised at how the machine gets moving really quickly.”

The program was recognised by HundrED for its innovativeness, impact and scalability, noting that Hands on Learning was about being brave enough to try something that isn’t traditional schooling for at least one day per week.

Researchers investigated 1,000 education innovations to identify the top 100 from 41 different countries, with Hands on Learning one of only six innovations chosen in Australia.

Mr Clyne said the Hands on Learning project at the college would look to build another shared space next year, possibly a garden and paved area.