“You get to help other people and build skills … it’s school but it’s not like school, it’s really fun,” says Colleyne McDonald (R) with fellow Halifax West O2 student Sara Macdonald (L) showcasing dollhouses to be donated to IWK Children’s Hospital.
Students are getting their hands dirty, constructing confidence and community links through service learning and real life opportunities.
Service Learning Week began June 2, when students across Nova Scotia showcased projects focused around community engagement and tangible outcomes.
Grade 10 students at Halifax West High School built 10 ornately detailed dollhouses to donate to IWK children’s hospital as part of their project.
“There were some ups and downs and some parts were frustrating,” said Sara Macdonald. “The shingles were a struggle.”
Halifax West Grade 10 students showcase the production cart they built as part of service learning, for Learning Centre students to transport their mobile shop. Michael Joyce, Ben Kuehn, Paul Chitate, Kaleb Mathews (L-R)
“Success is also learning about something they don’t want to do, before they spend money,” says Millwood High School O2 coordinator Shane Shaw
“We just graduated six from our flooring program on Friday and two went to work the very next Monday … and four were told they’ll get work within the next week,” says Bev Young director of Carpenter Millwright Trades College in Lower Sackville.
… But one of the key ‘game changers’ is getting the message to parents about what the program is about says Shane Shaw, O2 coordinator at Millwood High School in Sackville. “It’s not only about trades.”
