Projects with Passion

Year 9 students have continued their COMPASS program during the remote learning period with many of them enjoying the opportunity to work on their Passion Projects at home. They have been developing their skills and welcoming the opportunity to spend time on active pursuits such as improving their fitness for a particular sport, cake decorating techniques, new styles of art, investigating the working of motorcycle engines or planning future activities such as a trip around Australia, redesigning their rooms or investigating whether expensive paint is worth the cost.

Megan Schelfhout is pictured above with her masterpiece before she shared it with her family, while several more projects are featured in the gallery below.

Students began their projects by brainstorming areas of interest, pastimes, future goals and topics of strong opinion. Once they decided on a topic they learned the skills behind writing questions that require different levels of thinking. For instance ‘what, where and when’ questions require recalling information while ‘comparing, categorising and specifying’ require the students to analyse and they develop their higher-order thinking skills.

When it comes to answering their questions the students use the BIG 6 research model and create new ideas, stretching themselves beyond their prior knowledge or skill level. During remote learning students have shown adaptability using a range of techniques to show their learning including filmed clips, slideshows with voiceover recordings, time lapse videos and image collages.

We still hope it may be possible to hold the Passion Project showcase for parents to see the wonderful work our Year 9 students have put into their projects. There is no substitute for hearing the students talk about their passions themselves. We admire the way they have adapted and persisted in the remote learning environment and hope the creative and hands-on nature of many of their projects have helped to sustain them during lockdown.