Paulo Coelho, one of the best contemporary authors once wrote, “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It’s lethal.”
How true this rings in a post-pandemic world, where we have just returned to school after two years. Students and teachers alike seek a sense of normalcy amidst the masks, sanitisers, and social distancing protocols. Children wish to forget the drudgery of online classes, and although their return is much anticipated, they have bittersweet feelings of missing their EduTours, concerts, and other outdoor events. In the spirit of the best international schools of Mumbai , the Geography department at ABWA decided to set the ball rolling and take our students to a seaside field trip.
A tradition of outdoor learning
No man can study the world from the confines of four walls. Geography is truly learnt when students step out into the real world, and observe the wild and untamed nature in all its majestic glory. Both Cambridge and IB curriculum require that their affiliated schools conduct field visits for students undertaking the Geography course. So, we set out from school early on a Friday morning in March to visit coastal Vasai. The excitement was palpable as students greeted their friends with enthusiasm at 5:30 in the morning, ready to set out on a day of adventure and intensive data collection. What ensued was a learning experience that we the pandemic had stolen from us for two years, learning mixed with laughter, and memories that students will cherish for a long time.
We have a rich tradition of field work at ABWA – before COVID, we have conducted local trips to squatter settlements such as Dharavi, as well as the core region of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. We have also taken our students to overnight trips to study river characteristics in quaint, remote hamlets of Maharashtra such as Chavani. As one of the best Cambridge schools in Mumbai, our students can proudly say that they have experienced learning in its truest form.
Students shine bright in the light of the Sun
Something magical happens outdoors when you see students rise to the occasion and become leaders. That quiet student who keeps to herself starts collaborating with her team to figure out the best way to collect data. The boy who always gets tagged as the mischievous kid impresses everyone with his street-smart knowledge and ability to overcome obstacles. The students who bicker with each other share sun-screen and advice as they work together. An earnest student looks after the safety of his group without anyone prompting to. No teacher can resist beaming proudly when they see their students in a whole new light on the field.
The Head Boy of our school, Uday Makharia, says, “True learning only comes from practical experience.” He is a field trip veteran who has been to over five visits with us in the past few years, and along with his peers such as Shlok Vora, he has mentored younger students in field etiquette and hacks. Together with our data recorder Aashi Doshi and Dev Shah, this group of students works seamlessly as a team with little guidance from teachers. Watching them in action is like watching a well-oiled machine where each part complements each other and works synchronously. Skills like these would tremendously help students in the real world as they grow up.
Field visits and the IB learner profile
The IB learner profile lists ‘risk-taker’ as an attribute demonstrated by students from this curriculum. What better way to develop this in our students as they work with forethought and determination to explore new ideas and face adversity on field. By visiting a range of settlements – including rural areas as well as city slums – and interviewing farmers, fishermen, and migrants about their lives, our students learn how the other half of the world lives. This helps them develop attributes of being caring and open-minded.
The meticulous care that students show as they collate their data after returning from school, as well as their pride in using this raw data for their Internal Assessment or Coursework reports shows how principled they are. These practices stay with them when they go to foreign universities and demonstrate the integrity they learned at school. Our alumni are proud to speak of how they graduated from one of the best IB schools in Mumbai which gives them the opportunity to develop these skills.
At the end of the day, field visits provide students a chance to go out and have fun with their friends while also learning collaboratively. Our Grade 9 students were quick to point out how we walked more than 10 kilometres on our last trip; it is certainly a reminder to stay in shape and keep working out – you quickly fall behind on a Geography trip if you aren’t fit! The greatest reward of a successful trip though, is to hear children talk fondly about their experience after they graduate. That’s when you know you have made an impact.
Aditya Birla World Academy (ABWA) is the best international school in Mumbai. You for details contact,
Vastu Shilp Annexe, Gamadia Colony,
J D Road, Tardeo, Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400007
022 2352 8400
abwa.info@abet.co.in
For admissions, please email at- abwa.admissions@abet.co.in
Also read,
How much do best international schools focus on extra and co-curricular activities? What are the activities included?
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/how-much-do-best-international-schools-focus-on-extra-and-co-curricular-activities-what-are-the-activities-included
What is Differential Learning? How does ABWA contribute to the differential learning curriculum?
https://www.adityabirlaworldacademy.com/blog/what-is-differential-learning-how-does-abwa-contribute-to-the-differential-learning-curriculum
