| How Hands-On Learning Has Made Me a Better Person - Page 2 |
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| Written by Justin Carter | |||||||
Page 2 of 2 But my shop teacher saw something in me and wanted to help cultivate it. He introduced me to the West Philly Hybrid X-Team. The X-Team is an after school program in which we actually construct innovative cars. When I joined the team I was still pretty skeptical, but I gave it a try nonetheless. It turned out that the combination of classroom work and the hands-on approach of the team was exactly what I was missing. The statement “Education is yours for the taking” finally made sense at this point in my life. The X-team gave me a challenging environment. The projects captivated me so I was rarely bored and I was constantly surrounded with thinkers. I learned ways to conduct myself in a professional manner, including how to be a better speaker. The X-team gave me the tools which I used to grasp my own education. I realized that I was learning things in school that I could actually apply to my life. As opposed to sitting through a 30 minute lecture on a subject and being expected to do an assignment, I was allowed to dissect the subject, (in my case a 4 cylinder Volkswagon TDI engine that ran on biodiesel), and then told to explain it. When you touch something—actually put your hands on it—you learn about it in a powerful way. By being given the time to sit and study something that you already have an interest in, you’ll want to learn that one thing inside and out. Then at the beginning of this school year, an alumni and fellow member of the X-team suggested that I join the Philadelphia Student Union (PSU). I didn’t really know what to expect, but I finally went to sit in on a meeting. To my surprise I was seen as a friend almost immediately and I was shown this trusting, respectful, and supportive atmosphere much like what I experienced with the X-team. The positive atmosphere drew me in, and after learning that PSU was about working to get students a voice in their schools, I became committed. Now, I work alongside other young people to build the power of students in our city and demand a higher quality of education. We work to secure students the resources that they need, to get a better climate in schools, and to create youth self empowerment. I started off just going to certain meetings, but soon I wanted to be an integral part of the organization. It quickly grew into me spending the majority of my time with the students I met there, participating in campaigns. The PSU experience capitalizes on helping you learn by doing. In PSU I learned the skills to produce and host a radio show by joining the team that produces OnBlast, the only youth-led radio show on the FM dial in Philadelphia. Like with the X-team, in PSU I achieved a lot of “firsts” for myself. I learned to use recorders to conduct interviews, how to use computer software to convert and edit raw files, and how to do a live radio broadcast. Working with audio on the computer reminded me of some of the work that I do in the shop with cars. I was also part of the tactical team that put together the MLK Day Call to Witness and Action. I was in charge of dealing with last minute logistics and making sure that our march down Broad Street went smoothly. I had to think on my feet and communicate with other members of the tactical team to quickly resolve potential problems. I had never been part of planning and executing such a big event before and I was so proud to see it turn out well. I experienced first hand the anxiety and sense of fulfillment that comes from taking a leadership role. These stories are examples of how hands-on learning has made me a better person. As young people, when we are are surrounded by other passionate people, we feed off each other. This passion comes from pursuing our interests and pushing ourselves to develop into who we want to become. I feel privileged to be in this kind of environment through the X-Team and Philadelphia Student Union. •
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