Teacher Claudia Stow is creating “hope through service”

It’s the one subject experienced Victorian teacher Claudia Stow says every student needs to study. But it’s a subject mainstream education is yet to embrace.

If there was ever an elective class that should go mainstream, Project Design may well be it.

Created to help teenagers tackle topical issues ranging in everything from homelessness to mental health in an ageing population and climate change, this subject is being championed by teacher Claudia Stow at Emmaus College in Vermont South.

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“Young people often feel at a loss about big world issues and this is about creating a sense of hope through service,” said Ms Stow.

“I currently teach it to my Year 10 class but I wish I could teach it to everyone. I think it’s the most valuable subject ever.”

Students have the opportunity to hone into a subject matter of their choosing after attending a series of excursions, including a visit to Burwood Brickworks, the world’s most sustainable shopping centre, and Clothing The Gaps, a fashion label managed by health professionals that celebrates Aboriginal culture.

Teacher Claudia Stow runs Project Design at Emmaus College in Vermont South. With Emmaus Yr 10 Project students, L To R – Diore Rozario, Abigail Boog and Nathanael Yeung. Picture David Crosling

“Other excursions have included visiting a Turkish Iman to break down stereotypes and prejudices – the fear of others that are unfounded. Another thing we’ve done is take the students to a Savers thrift store and give them five dollars to shop for a young mother who is pregnant with her first child. It’s not only about getting the student to think about what a new mother might need but also understanding how we can repurpose fast fashion,” she said.

“I know young people love getting out and about and love the real life experience rather than theory work, so I make sure we get out as often as possible.”

Acting Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Dr Edward Simons, said the work of Ms Stow points to the changing landscape of contemporary learning to engage students and prepare them as global citizens.

“We want our schools to inspire and enable every child to flourish and, in turn, enrich the world around them,” he said.

“We are blessed to have innovative and outstanding teachers such as Claudia within our community of schools to bring this vision to life for our students and families.”

Ms Stow has been running Project Design for the last five years and said students can channel their experience any way they choose, from writing a protest song to creating an awareness campaign.

Teacher Claudia Stow runs Project Design at Emmaus College: “I wish I could teach it to everyone. I think it’s the most valuable subject ever.” Picture David Crosling

“The best thing about it, they have to formally present their ideas, or their prototype to the principal and the school leadership team and they have to invite someone from the community who will benefit from their idea.”

Some of the solutions that have come out of Project Design is a ‘Cooking with Nona’ initiative aimed at helping elderly loneliness in nursing homes and an ‘Only Coward’s Punch’ cap in support of the Coward Punch Campaign.

“I am so passionate about this class, it’s so incredibly relevant to real world purpose and these students see themselves as vital members of the community. They are meaningful contributors to their world,” she said.

Originally published as Teacher Claudia Stow is creating “hope through service”