W5:The School that Runs on Kindness and Solar Power-“The Future of Learning: Solar Kind School"



Entering the Future of Learning: Solar Kind School is like stepping foot into the beating heart of hope. The whole campus shines with the natural warmth of the sun, every detail fuelled by 100% renewable energy sources. Rooftops shining with rows of solar panels, small wind turbines popping up around the playground spinning effortlessly in the wind. All of the walkways are lined with solar panel LED lights to keep students safe as they walk home after evening activities. This school is a center for learning but is also a blueprint for a future marked by a green sustainability, equality, and kindness.


A School Powered by Nature

Solar Kind’s design is stunning green technology. The building has smart glass windows that respect your privacy but adjust automatically to help manage heat and light in the internal spaces, saving on energy use. Rainwater is collected from the roof, treated, and used in the school gardens. The students use these gardens to grow vegetables and herbs, engaging with food production and the environment at the same time.


The cafeteria has a "zero-waste" plan, in which food scraps are composted and returned to the earth, providing nourishment to the gardens that contributed to some meals. The students clearly understand the relationships between energy, nature and daily living, as all things are connected, and that any small intervention can create a lasting change.


A Culture of Empathy and Inclusion

Solar Kind is about much more than academic skills. Every day begins with a “Kindness Circle” with the whole class where we share stories and practice empathy. Competition is completely avoided. Teamwork and collaboration are encouraged. Cultural diversity is celebrated and honored in festivals, community traditions and shared experiences. 

One student, Aisha, explains:
"In my previous school, I felt invisible. Here, every voice is important and unique is strong."

The approach to emotional well-being creates a safe, equal and inspirational learning experience for our students, while teachers are provided training in inclusion resources and mental health support.


Learning for a Sustainable Future

Education at Solar Kind fundamentally prepares students for challenges they face in the real world. Children build small solar-powered devices for science projects. They track the energy consumption of the school using digital dashboards while learning about energy conservation at the same time. Environmental stewardship is part of every subject area, whether students are writing essays about climate action or creating art installations from recycled materials. 

Kindness is also built into the curriculum. Students will complete “community kindness projects” and get involved in their community, whether it be cooking meals for shelters nearby, or planting trees at local parks. The school demonstrates combining sustainability with compassion shows students to care for people and the planet.


Real Life Inspiration

While Solar Kind is forward-looking, its vision resembles innovative schools across the world. Green School Bali utilizes renewable energy and involves young people in sustainability projects (Green School Bali, n. d.) and Denmark emphasizes collaboration and equality rather than competition (OECD, 2020). Finland emphasizes personalized learning and mental well-being. Eco-Schools Singapore includes lessons on recycling, water conservation, and energy monitoring, and some schools in Australia include outdoor lessons in farming and composting (Dyer, 2019). 

Solar Kind links these real-life, experiential practices into one innovative model underpinned by empathy, inclusion, and sustainability.

Final Thought

The Future of Learning Solar Kind School can demonstrate that education for the future must find a balance between technology and humanity. Schools today must educate the creating of empathy, inclusion and sustainability, while allowing learners to use renewable energy, to develop not just children of conscience, but responsible global citizens.


References

OECD. (2020). Equity and inclusion in education: Finding strength through diversity. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/equity-and-inclusion-in-education_e9072e21-en.html

OECD. (2020). Education policy outlook: Denmark. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/education/policyoutlook.htm

Sassy Mama Singapore. (2023, April 17). Green schools in Singapore: 10 eco-friendly schools. Sassy Mama Singapore. https://www.sassymamasg.com/learn-green-schools-singapore-eco-friendly/

Green School Bali. (2022). Green School primary school curriculum overview 2022–2023. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/636172211/Green-School-Primary-School-Curriculum-Overview-2022-2023-1


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