21st Century Schoolhouse
 The 21st Century
Schoolhouse is a virtual schoolhouse, whereby students from around
the world research environmental issues in their own country, then
communicate about them via the internet. There are eleven schools
currently involved in the schoolhouse, including those from places as
diverse as Argentina, Palestine, Japan, USA, Kyrgyzstan and China.
Warnbro Community High School is the only school in Australia to be part
of the Schoolhouse.
The focus of the schoolhouse is on student empowerment. Students are
encouraged to take an active role in deciding which aspects of the
environment will be studied and take part in action-research; where the
students do hands-on research around the community. The Schoolhouse
promotes a variety of learning experiences, presenting challenges to
students and encouraging leadership, decision making, planning and
cooperation.
Presently the students in the Schoolhouse at Warnbro meet for two
hours a week, during which time they work on their research and chat
with other students around the world about life and issues in other
countries. Once every two years an International Environmental Summit is
held. This gives students the opportunity to meet for face-to-face
discussions about their research and to debate issues that they have
been studying. At these Summits a World Charter is drawn up, which is
presented to the governments of all the countries involved.
The 21st Century Schoolhouse encourages students to become more
environmentally conscious, more globally aware and to make lasting
friendships from around the world.
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