Banting and Best Public School is proud to be the recipient of a CCEL (Community Connected Experiential Learning) Grant, which has opened up exciting new opportunities for students to engage in meaningful learning experiences centered around mental health awareness and career exploration in the skilled trades and technology sectors.
Throughout the year, Grade 7 and 8 students have taken on leadership roles in the school community, diving into a range of hands-on activities aligned with their personal interests. Students have explored areas such as Culinary Arts, Painting, Photography, Robotics, Greenspaces and Carpentry, turning classroom learning into real-world experiences they can create, share and take pride in.
One of the highlights of the program so far has been a nest box carpentry project. As part of the initiative, Grades 7 and 8 students built nest boxes (bird houses) with the help of TDSB carpenters, who prepared the materials and led the building session at the school. The students learned carpentry skills, asked insightful questions and gained exposure to careers in the trades, all while building something meaningful for the community.
This week, students painted the nest boxes and added their own creative touches. The boxes will now be installed in the local community to enhance greenspaces and support local bird populations.