Almost 200 people from all over Poland – teachers, experts and, first of all, students took part in the 8th All-Poland School with Class 2.0 Festival that was held in Warsaw on June 8 and 9.
Members of almost 20 student teams participating in “School with Class 2.0” program presented the results of their educational projects. Their objective was to introduce changes to the school work. The students told about their biggest successes and challenges, such as school without bells, quiet work corners, theatrical performances, or actions benefitting seniors.
The meeting participants had also an opportunity to learn the design thinking method. The workshops were conducted by the teachers that have participated in the School with Class program for years. The students designed school equipment and accessories, such as a super chair, a super desk, a super locker or a super schoolbag. The young people presented their creativity and deep awareness of their expectations and needs. All participants emphasized that they were not only playing – they were working in a team and everybody could contribute their own ideas.
“During that two-day festival we learned from its participants that “School with Class” initiative is first of all a lesson of collaboration, responsibility and an effective motivator to act,” Marianna Hajdukiewicz, the Polish-American Freedom Foundation Program Director says.
The “School with Class” is a nationwide educational initiative that has been carried out since 2002 by the Center for Citizenship Education and “Gazeta Wyborcza” daily, and presently continued by the School with Class Foundation in cooperation with the Polish-American Freedom Foundation. Since 2002, a total of over eight thousand schools, more than 100,000 teachers and almost one million students have participated in this action. Its objective is promoting school that prepares students to live in the modern world, encourages them to take up new challenges and educates active citizens. Since 2010, one of the programs that make part of the action is the “School with Class 2.0”, which encourages introduction and use of new ICT in everyday school practice and is addressed to all levels of schools all over Poland.
More information on: www.szkolazklasa.org.pl.
