A Holistic Learning Environment

What really struck me today is that the girls are learning in a holistic environment that is possible only because we have three organizations working together – Medicine on the Move, WAASPS and the AvTech academy.

This morning, it was time for the generator to get its oil change, so Patricia gathered all the girls, and with everyone squeezed in the generator room, she taught the girls about engines and the reasons why engines need oil. At the same time, the girls could see the difference between old and new oil, and experience the oil handling along with all the sights and sounds of a generator set.

In the afternoon, an aircraft needed a new windscreen, which had to be cut out of a sheet of Lexan. The girls observed how this was done and also got a chance to learn about the material by cutting out some very smooth doughnut shapes.

In between, when talking about standard bolt sizes, we got into a deep conversation about fractions and how to visualize the mathematics of fractions. Finally, the girls practiced demonstrating some health training scenarios: wound management and solar water disinfection. Lydia did a great job simulating the irrigation of Beatrice’s wound!

When I went to university in the last century, it was almost all theory, so I’m a little jealous of the girls’ learning environment – theory and practice, technology and health care. It’s all part of their day!