Explore8 in Action: Lead the Way in Innovation

July 26, 2024

Explore8, one of our emPOWER projects, is crafted to spark curiosity and deepen the learning among our Year 8 students. This initiative aims to expand their horizons, motivating them to explore new ideas in a structured and supportive environment.

This year, our students addressed everyday local issues, whether that be social or environmental, affecting individuals or groups within our community. Through the Design Thinking Process, they brainstormed and developed practical solutions. This hands-on approach was at the heart of their Explore8 project.

For six dedicated days, students took a break from their traditional timetable to fully engage in this creative challenge. They documented their journey and solutions through vlogs, showcasing their innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

To enhance their learning experience, our students were inspired by a lineup of remarkable guest speakers, including Joey Eardley from the Kai Fella Foundation, former Australian Softball Olympian Leah Parry, Sally Dawkins, Director of the WA State Office and DFAT, former student Sophie Kerrigan, who is now pursuing a career in medicine, and our Principal, Jennifer Oaten.

Explore8 is more than just a project; it’s a transformative experience that equips our students with the skills and confidence to tackle real-world challenges.

FROM THE DEAN

Year 8 Dean Gemma Beekink shared her insights towards the Explore8 program.

What does this program aim to teach students?

These sessions are crafted to develop students’ 21st-century skills centred around the Design Thinking Process, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, ideation and reflection. By tackling real-world problems of their choosing, students gain a broader perspective on the world and learn to appreciate the diverse viewpoints of others.

Guided by passionate staff, Explore8 empowers students to explore how they can make meaningful contributions to their communities. A key element of the program is the mentoring process, where each student is paired with a specifically allocated staff member.

This mentor supports students in engaging in robust discussions around their ideas and solutions, offering invaluable advice and insights to enhance and drive innovative thinking throughout their Explore8 projects.

As this is your first time overseeing Explore8, what did you most enjoy seeing from the students and their projects?

Overseeing Explore8 for the first time, I was most excited to see our students dive into topics they are genuinely passionate about. This program provides a unique platform for them to explore how they can positively contribute to their communities and develop a greater perspective on global issues.

I loved witnessing their optimism as they met challenges head-on, embracing a learning process that was different from their usual classroom experiences. The mentoring process was particularly exciting, as it offered students the chance to engage in meaningful discussions with their allocated staff members, using this mentorship to refine their ideas and solutions.

This interaction not only helps them enhance their projects but also encourages innovative thinking and a deeper understanding of their chosen topics. Additionally, I am eager to see how they apply the key learnings from Explore8 to their lives, enhancing their understanding of the world and cultivating empathy and resilience.

This experience will undoubtedly enrich their educational journey and equip them with essential skills to support their future endeavours.

What unique aspects or new initiatives were introduced in this year’s Explore8 program?

This year, Explore8 introduced several unique aspects and new initiatives to enhance the learning experience. A balanced approach to learning is a key focus, incorporating both digital and traditional booklet work. This balance is crucial in helping students develop their planning, research, self-management, and reflection skills while also allowing them to be creative and engage with digital platforms. The integration of digital tools alongside traditional methods ensures that students are well-versed in using technology effectively and responsibly.

Additionally, we are strongly emphasising essential life skills, including time management, planning, research skills, note-taking, gratitude, and reflection. These components go beyond academic exercises and play a vital role in helping students cultivate a holistic approach to learning and personal growth.

The daily vlog initiative supported this by encouraging students to document their design thinking process, reflections, and self-accountability. This vlog not only aids in tracking progress but also promotes a deeper engagement with their projects, fostering a greater sense of ownership and responsibility. Students created a three-minute video presentation of their chosen problem and final solution. This presentation provided a platform for students to showcase their findings and enhance their communication skills. It also encouraged innovative thinking and allows students to express their ideas in a creative format.

By integrating these unique aspects and initiatives, Explore8 provides a comprehensive and enriching educational experience, equipping students with the skills and perspectives needed to navigate future challenges with confidence and creativity.

FROM THE STUDENTS

What was the problem that you addressed?

In Explore8, the problem I addressed was overpopulation. Overpopulation is a global issue that affects us every day – from the prices of groceries to housing to the lack of access to public services and the exacerbation of climate change. This worldwide issue strains the world’s food supply, leading to farmers and industries resorting to genetically modified crops and the manipulation of hormones to accelerate growth and yield bigger crops and livestock to meet constant consumer demands. We are trapped in a constant cycle that doesn’t have an end or a solution. Elizabeth

The problem I addressed was related to education, in that each student has a different style of learning, meaning that some students may not understand or fully comprehend the way something is taught if it doesn’t quite match them. Each teacher has a different teaching style, and if a student cannot quite comprehend/digest the way a certain concept is taught, the way they learn can be affected. Ranuki

What was your solution to this problem?

As overpopulation causes and exacerbates significant problems that harm our world today, I have decided to create a solution that would make a difference in the world. It is important to educate the current and future generations of people and cultures about the impact of population growth. For people to gain a better and more in-depth understanding of overpopulation, I had to build it into people’s learning foundation. This meant starting with a younger audience – high school students.

I later concluded that Year 9 students would be the best audience for proposing a new Geography unit in Humanities & Social Sciences. This unit will cover the definition of overpopulation, its global impacts, and potential solutions while also teaching essential skills and environmental awareness. To show my solution, I created a course outline that highlights what students will be learning, what they will gain from this unit, and how they are assessed on it.

For people who have already graduated from school or may not have access to education, I have made a website with information about overpopulation. Elizabeth

To solve this problem, I created a website called Mind Hive, where students can access diverse educators to gain different perspectives on their subjects. Students can create accounts to save and exchange information and directly communicate with certified teachers across different fields. Key features include teacher profiles with expertise labels, direct messaging for questions, and a Work Lab for detailed, visual, or lengthy queries. There’s also a document page for accessing and downloading large files.

The Idea Lab allows for collaboration with peers and teachers on innovative ideas. A mobile app complements the website with a user-friendly, categorised menu for easy teacher search and notifications. The Mind Hive Manual helps users navigate the site, and safety measures like profile reporting ensure a secure environment. Additional features include monthly newsletters and news updates. Ranuki

What was your favourite part of the Explore8 project?

My favourite part of Explore8 was the guest speakers. Whenever I faced a challenge or obstacle during Explore8, I reflected on the insights and wisdom they shared, which proved to be tremendously helpful. Their interesting stories always had a relevant meaning that connected to our topic and provided me with some great advice. My favourite guest speaker was Sophie. As a past Santa Maria student, it was fascinating to see what paths you could choose when you take every opportunity and don’t let yourself be pinned down to a timetable or a plan. Harper

What skills do you feel you developed the most during Explore8?

The skills I developed the most during Explore8 are independence and self-reflection. My independence grew because Explore8 is self-led, requiring me to take initiative in my learning and manage myself without supervision. I improved my self-reflection skills through the daily vlogs we had to script, which required thoughtful self-assessment. I noticed improvement each day, and this was beneficial, so I plan to continue using self-reflection in my future projects. Harper

Creativity, Explore8, Feautured, Innovation

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.