Students present architecture project on national stage

A GROUP of Ballina students have worked with an architect to design better learning spaces and present their ideas at a national conference attracting more than 10,000 people.

Ballina Coast High School was invited to speak at the EduTech conference at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.

It is Australia’s largest education and technology conference for high school students, where the group gave a virtual demonstration.

Principal Peter Howes engaged Dr Fiona Young, an architect known for her expertise in educational design, to work with the students.

“Empowering our students to have a voice is something we value highly at Ballina Coast High School, and this is an example of why that matters,” Howes said.

“It enabled us to see learning spaces through their lens. The students told us where they like to learn and what sorts of spaces inspire them creatively and intellectually.”

Dr Young helped the students identify what they wanted from their ideal learning environment. She is a member of the Government Architect NSW State Design Review Panel and the Sydney Catholic Schools Capital Works Planning Committee.

Last month, the students also presented to architects at the Learning Environments Australasia conference in Brisbane.

Dr Young said she had watched the students’ confidence grow to a point where they are now comfortable speaking in front of conference delegates.

“It has been wonderful to see them reflecting so articulately on their experience,” she said.

“Their insights on reducing distractions, improving behaviours and deepening the sense of belonging among students have been enlightening.”