For many schools, the Activate in-curriculum program is an iterative process. This is certainly the case at Marsden State High School where Jack Morris, a Business and Science teacher has been leading the program.
“Every year it is adapted and every year it gets bigger.”
Here’s how they’ve been shaping Activate to make it their own:
- Bringing the spirit of student-led project-based learning to the forefront
- Including a full-day prototyping incursion to increase student engagement in the program.
- Starting prototyping earlier in the term to ensure students feel they have enough time.
- Scheduling the Showcase during school time to increase audience attendance and engagement.
“It’s not like their usual classes where they sit there and are spoken to. They get to drive it themselves,” Jack says. “Some kids are worried about appearing nerdy when participating in school activities. They’re often surprised. They always like it more than they think they will.”
Last year, Community Bank Logan Village heard about the impact Activate was having on students across Australia, and reached out to Marsden to offer sponsorship, a move that has seen a huge impact on student engagement and the final Showcase.
“The Showcase was more engaging [with their backing],” Jack says. “And we had prize money. The bank was so excited, they came in and judged it, they’re keen to maintain engagement in the school and we saw such great feedback.”
The prize money – $900 – is being invested by the winning student back into their enterprise. As a result, younger students at Marsden State High are already champing at the bit to enrol in a Business elective in the coming year.
Future Anything’s Activate in-curriculum program and student workshops build confident communicators of all ages, by empowering young people to develop, and then persuasively pitch, innovative social enterprise solutions to the problems they care about.
Find out more about our programs here.
