Looking back…
I came into LEAP knowing that I had the next six weeks to immerse myself in new learning experiences, giving me the opportunity to find my own passions and my underlying motivation. What I experienced was more rewarding than my previous expectations. By working in a team with 11 other like-minded students, we created project ideas, and made them a reality with the help of our three mentors; Pak Mo, Pak Jason and Pak Noan. We identified the issue regarding the little access/space students have to play equipment in the school, and decided to take action on this by designing and building a Circuit Fort playground for the kids to exercise their minds and bodies.
By designing and building the playground, I gained many ‘real life’ skills, including scale drawings, writing proposals, budgeting, and many other basic construction skills. These are skills I would never learn in a traditional classroom — demonstrating that project-based learning can prepare me for the ‘real world’ challenges and tasks. Working collaboratively with other students also simulated the professional workplace; considering other ideas, communicating, sharing workloads and staying motivated together were valuable lessons I learned, and will prepare me for everyday tasks in my future career.
Compared to traditional classes, LEAP has given me the tools to simulate real workplaces situations and challenges, asking me to solve issues and apply academic skills to create a finished product. Instead of sitting at desk memorising facts, I am applying and solving ideas hands-on and am allowed to make mistakes — that’s what learning is about!
With this experience, I was learning and adapting along with the program itself. To improve the experience and allow us students to achieve all our goals I would like more opportunities to develop our own projects and immerse ourselves in more ideas (more Magic Mondays!). This way, I could find more motivation to complete all the projects and be under some sort of time pressure — when I work best! Magic Mondays also insight possible project ideas — the more the better because it gives the opportunity to brainstorm multiple ideas that could possibly be intertwined together.
To improve my own learning experience, next time I will monitor and discipline my work status constantly to make sure I am putting as much energy into the project as I can. If I become unmotivated or bored I can find a way to help with the project, but find joy and entertainment as I am completing the task. Motivation and passion is key to successfully completing a project, and it’s difficult to keep steadily motivated. Taking short breaks and pursuing other projects is the best way for me to stay motivated and productive.
Overall, LEAP was the most incredible learning program I have ever taken a part in. I was able to learn skills that will help me immensely in the future, make mistakes, learn from those, and reflect on my successes. The team I worked with this was the highlight of entire experience — they inspired me to push my comfort zone boundaries, work in groups more actively, and have fun! I will definitely be taking LEAP again in the future — as I’m preparing for life after High School.
