Students from Catholic Schools Maitland-Newcastle’s Virtual Academy gathered at the University of Newcastle’s Callaghan Campus on Tuesday 16 June for a day of collaboration, presentation and immersive learning.
Bringing together students from the Discovery and Time units, the event provided an opportunity for learners to share their work, receive feedback and connect with peers who share a passion for inquiry and innovation.
Students in the Discovery unit presented the results of their self-directed investigations into a problem or topic of their choice. Their projects reflected a remarkable breadth of interests, with presentations exploring subjects including ancient Greek society, the links between ancient remedies and modern medicine, and the strategies behind successful chess gameplay.
Meanwhile, students from the Time unit experienced the University’s SimCave: an immersive 360-degree video environment typically used for teacher and nurse training. As part of their learning, students had created videos examining the truth behind selected “Troublesome Topics”, tackling subjects such as the misrepresentation of dangerous animals and Neanderthals, the historical reality of Robin Hood, and contemporary issues surrounding artificial intelligence.
The campus gathering allowed students to share their work with an authentic audience and gain valuable feedback from both peers and educators.
For many students, the opportunity to learn from one another was one of the highlights of the day.
“The most valuable aspect of today was learning about other people’s passions and aspirations,” one student said.
Another reflected on the importance of receiving constructive feedback, saying, “The most valuable aspect was how we got honest feedback, so now we know what to improve, what to keep the same, and we got reassurance.”
Others valued the chance to build connections with fellow learners.
“Being informed on what to do in the future and being able to make friends,” one student said when asked about the day’s most valuable aspect.
The SimCave experience was a standout for many participants.
“The amazing immersive experience of the SimCave was vital to my learning and understanding of the whole unit,” one student shared.
Students also praised the inquiry-based nature of the Virtual Academy program, which encourages them to pursue topics that genuinely interest them.
“I loved that we were able to choose our own conceptual question, so we could base it on something that we loved, or that we showed interest in,” one student said.
Another highlighted the opportunity to experiment with new technologies and discover unfamiliar topics.
“I found it most interesting when we used tools that I had never heard of before to present on things that I had never heard of before.”
The day showcased the power of student-driven learning, with participants demonstrating critical thinking, creativity and a willingness to explore complex ideas. By connecting with peers, sharing their discoveries and engaging with cutting-edge technology, Virtual Academy students were able to celebrate their learning while gaining inspiration for future inquiry.
