George Lucas Educational Foundation

Passion-Driven Research Projects

Months- or even years-long independent research projects motivate students to develop core curricular skills.

August 2, 2019

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This video is part of our Schools That Work series and features key practices from Wooranna Park Primary School

Schools That Work

Wooranna Park Primary School

Public, Urban
Grades K-6
Dandenong North, VIC

More than two decades ago, the staff at Wooranna Park Primary Schoolcommitted themselves to the idea that students would be more engaged in school if they were allowed to take the lead in their learning. Drawing from the practices of Reggio Emilia, a child-centered educational philosophy, the school made drastic changes tothe physical space, school schedule, and curriculum.

Teachers now use dedicated co-planning time to design unique, open-ended learning projects that provoke students’ curiosity and academic understanding. The school day is seen as fluid, and teachers and students negotiate the day’s activities together every morning. Today Wooranna Park serves 350 students, the majority of whom are immigrants, and has demonstrated that the school model is accessible and beneficial for children of all backgrounds.

In 2018:

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Filed Under

  • Interest-Based Learning
  • Literacy
  • Student Engagement
  • Student Voice
  • K-2 Primary
  • 3-5 Upper Elementary
  • 6-8 Middle School

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