Students take on local sustainability challenges with Curtin University

Working with Curtin University's Faculty of Humanities,students looked at sustainability issues affecting the George Street community.In small groups, they shared ideas, discussed different perspectives and workedtogether to develop potential solutions to local challenges.

Over the three days, students had the opportunity toapproach these issues from different angles, think creatively and consider howtheir ideas could translate into practical solutions. The programme wrapped upwith a showcase where each group presented their proposals, explaining thechallenges they'd identified and how their ideas could benefit the community.

For Billy, the experience highlighted the difference youngpeople can make when given the opportunity to tackle issues that matter tothem.

"Through this programme I learnt that I could have areal impact on my local community," Billy reflected.

Tim Keeley, Future Challenges Coordinator in CurtinUniversity's Faculty of Humanities, highlighted the importance of connectingstudent learning with issues affecting people in their everyday lives.

"Students are not dealing with a theoretical abstractproblem, they're dealing with something that their community is affectedby," Tim explained.

Working on local challenges gave students a differentperspective on learning, allowing them to put their ideas into practice whilegaining insight into how communities can approach the issues they face. Thepartnership also gave students the opportunity to learn from university staffand experience a different approach to problem-solving.

Changemakers for Sustainability reflects TSS's approach tolearning, giving students opportunities to build practical skills, work withothers and engage with real-world issues. Experiences like this encouragestudents to think independently, consider different viewpoints and see howtheir learning can be applied to situations beyond school.

We're proud of our Year 10 students for the ideas theydeveloped and the enthusiasm they brought to the programme. It was great to seethem take on a local challenge, share their thinking and explore ways theycould contribute to their community.