Rick Hansen Secondary in Abbotsford is one of 17 projects in B.C. that will each receive $8,000 in funding through the B.C. government’s K-12 Innovation Partnership program.
The selected projects complement the new curriculum being phased in over the next three years and focus on hands-on project-based learning, supports for vulnerable and/or at-risk students, aboriginal learning, science and technology, and reporting and assessment practices.
The funds provide support for teacher release time, research and project expenses. There will also be opportunities for project teams to collaborate with colleagues and explore concepts that could be adopted by other school districts.
The 17 projects were selected by the Innovation Partnership Working Group, a collaboration of education partners that includes the BC Teachers’ Federation, the Ministry of Education and others.
The working group received 77 proposals from 33 school districts and 19 independent schools.
Rick Hansen Secondary is transforming into a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) school and business academy with an inquiry-based, interdisciplinary approach.
Classrooms are being transformed into digital nerve centres with a real-world approach to education.
Cindy Schafer, chair of the Abbotsford board of education, said the Innovation Partnership funds affirm the decision to launch the Rick Hansen School of Science and Business.
“We are adapting to the changing needs of students … with the intention of developing graduates who are better prepared for professional careers or post-secondary studies,” she said.