Curious minds take flight

Sondra Wolfenden, Head of Junior School

At The Geelong College, we know that learning thrives when curiosity leads the way. The Gateways Program offered the perfect opportunity to dive into big ideas, explore complex concepts, and stretch their thinking beyond the classroom.

What do volcanoes on Mars, spinning gears, and invisible forces inside the Earth have in common? For a group of curious Year 2 and 3 students they were all part of an unforgettable learning adventure through the Gateways Program.

These students had the chance to step outside their regular classrooms and into a world of wonder, asking big questions, testing new ideas, and stretching their thinking in exciting new ways.

The Gateways Program is an independent initiative designed to provide enriching educational experiences for students with a passion for learning. It offered our children the opportunity to work in groups and encouraged collaboration, creativity, and curiosity.

With a focus on stimulating curiosity and exploring key concepts in Science and Mathematics students pondered thought-provoking concepts like “What’s inside the Earth?” through hands-on discovery.

This initiative is part of Gateways’ broader mission to support the intellectual and creative development of children. It offers a range of programs and activities. It also shows how external educational initiatives can complement and enhance the learning that takes place within our school.

The recent sessions facilitated by Gateways were carefully designed to stimulate imagination and foster a deep sense of enquiry.

For many students, this was a chance to work with like-minded peers from other schools, share ideas, and take intellectual risks in a supportive environment.

The students who attended commented on how fun and engaging the program was.

Arthur summed it up simply:

“It was fun, there was a lot of maths, and I really liked it.”

Lachlan added:

“We learned about gears, and we got to make our own inventions. We made time spinners! It made me feel courageous. We got to write down all our thinking. We got to learn lots of new stuff that we haven’t done before.”

Meg said:

“It was really fun. We learned about the tectonic plates on Earth and that Mars has no tectonic plates. We learned that the heat spots on Mars could not move, so the same volcanoes kept erupting again and again. It really extended me, and I want to do it again.”

Incorporating extra learning opportunities that align with children’s interests and extend their thinking and curiosity is fundamental in a Reggioinspired education. This approach not only nurtures a child’s natural inquisitiveness but also fosters a deeper engagement with the learning process.

By creating an environment where children feel empowered to explore and express their ideas, we are cultivating a lifelong love of learning.

This method respects each child’s unique path of discovery, encouraging them to become confident, creative, and critical thinkers.

Ultimately, such an enriched educational experience lays a strong foundation for their future academic and personal growth which we see as they continue their learning journey through The Geelong College.