Combining project-based learning with a focus on local needs makes learning much more meaningful, but also serves as a powerful motivator for students. This approach enables students to engage with real-life situations by finding solutions for problems together, as well as developing essential qualities such as empathy and responsibility. In the 2023-24 school year, several classes engaged in classroom projects in which this combination caused an impact.
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E-motion: united by an ideal
In the E-motion project, developed in partnership with the Menino Jesus Municipal Hospital, the students asked themselves how to bring more comfort and joy to hospitalized children. The answer was devised in this partnership: the students, of such different ages, collaborated to build musical electric carts that were delivered to the hospital.
One of these projects was undertaken by students and teachers from the ninth grade and kindergarten. In the E-motion project, developed in partnership with the Menino Jesus Municipal Hospital, the students looked for ways to bring more comfort and joy to hospitalized children. The solution was reached through this partnership. The students, of such different ages, joined forces to build musical electric trolleys which were then delivered to the hospital.
The design project was developed by the 9th graders, who visited the hospital, interviewed patients and developed the prototypes. Leveraging their knowledge of electrical circuits and programming, they engineered the trolleys to move and play music. The kindergarteners were instrumental in bringing more creativity to the design and in a feedback session, they shared their ideas to make the trolleys more cheerful and appealing. Lastly, the kindergarteners developed a study on sound and the impact of music on wellbeing and selected the songs that they sang and recorded. The recordings were integrated into the speakers and circuits and coded by the 9th graders, and the musical trolleys, made by many hands, began to take shape.
At an event with a musical performance and the entire Avenues community in attendance, the students handed over the trolleys to the hospital staff, crowning a project where everyone was able to learn and help in equal measure.
The Future is Now
Our 5th graders also embarked on an impactful project focused on creating an equitable and sustainable future for all. To support them in this journey, they partnered with our ACE Fellowship organizations. "The fellows are community leaders who are forging the future and have a lot to teach and share with our students," said Daniela Kemeny, 5th grade associate division head.
Partnering with the fellows provided the students with a concrete way to enhance their knowledge and understand the skills needed for future leadership, particularly in addressing and overcoming global challenges.
Throughout the project, the students not only interacted with the fellows, but also visited the organizations and took part in volunteer work. This was a powerful and transformative way for them to understand their role within a broader community. The students developed empathy and compassion for a global problem of their interest by connecting to a reality that was different from their own.
The 5th graders also learned that photography is a powerful storytelling tool and used it to share the stories of these community leaders. The culmination of their efforts resulted in captivating photo essays and artworks depicting these leaders. The artwork was included in an auction to generate funds for the Fellowship program organizations.
“The fellows are community leaders who are creating the future and have a lot to teach and exchange with our students.”
Daniela Kemeny
Fifth grade coordinator
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
The combination of project-based learning with a local focus in the classroom not only enriches education but also cultivates essential skills such as problem-solving, collaboration and empathy. Two standout examples include 9th graders creating musical electric trolleys for hospitalized children and 5th graders collaborating with community leaders from the ACE Fellowship program to champion equity and sustainability. The students employed photography to tell the stories of these leaders and raised funds through an auction of their artwork to support the Fellowship organizations. These initiatives highlight how meaningful and transformative education can be when students get involved in tangible actions to improve both their community and the wider world.
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