"We have sought to embed Kellett's contribution to achieving and raising awareness of the SDGs into the fabric of the Senior School, from academic lessons to community service, fundraising and fun. Students are acutely aware that the protection of the planet needs to be high up on the agenda for their generation."
Hayley Wilson, Deputy Head of Kellett Senior School
Kellett School and the British International School in Hong Kong are conscious of ensuring that climate change education is realistic and optimistic. We strive to provide students understand they can contribute to the solutions. Indeed, we actively encourage them to develop their own solutions.
Global issues, local impact
Like many coral reefs worldwide, Hong Kong has suffered bleaching episodes over recent decades. The Coral Conservation project began with a series of activities aimed at educating students on coral reef ecology and the threats they face globally and locally. Tanks were established to deepen the sense of connection, and students were tasked with learning about coral biology, microbiology, chemistry, and animal husbandry.
Since the inception of the tanks, students have nurtured an ever-maturing biome, including multiple species of fish, snails, shrimp, crabs, starfish, and some hardy coral species. They have monitored the water chemistry, adjusted accordingly, and faced challenges in introducing more delicate coral species, with the ultimate aim of replanting the coral along Hong Kong’s shorelines.
Innovating for a sustainable future
With dedicated lesson time, Innovation at Kellett is taught from Years 4 and up, and is composed of collaborative student-led projects which seek to address the challenges of the SDG’s.
Through a deep dive, guided inquiry and leveraging a design thinking approach, students have created indoor farming solutions (using hydroponics and self-watering systems), designed and created their own personal health and wellbeing devices, and made a water cleaning system from recycled and household equipment that could be used in emergencies.
These projects give students an opportunity to develop and test their ideas, failing and refining, and building essential skills such as resilience and project management for the world of work and the challenges of achieving the SDGs.
Bespoke solutions
Taking sustainability education to the next level, Kellett has developed its non-examined Sustainability course, composed of two components, Innovation and Oceanography, and centred around the SDGs for years 10 and 11.
The Oceanography strand centres on coral conservation and the loss of habitat and biodiversity to the Hong Kong marine ecosystem. Students have their tanks where they must balance the biodiversity to enable coral to thrive carefully.
Learn more about us at www.kellettschool.com. We welcome prospective families to get a feel of our campus, tour facilities and learn more about our community. Please email [email protected].
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
