Here at the International School of Bologna, our best learning happens when we can take on real-life challenges. So when we were presented with the Learning Situation on how to maintain a circular urban economy without the use of plastic, we were immediately interested in taking on this challenge. Our Grade 9 class was tasked with figuring out how to ship cosmetics and also provide refills without the use of large plastic containers and bottles. 

Grade 9 worked hard to research solutions and also to understand the needs of a local company that strives to maintain a plastic-free environment all while reducing waste. The solutions ranged from bamboo shipping boxes that convert to storage in the stores, to investing in a greenhouse in order to reduce the CO2 output of shipping in exotic ingredients, thus allowing more funds to invest in resistant plastic-free materials without increasing overhead costs. We were fortunate to be invited to Oway – the case study in the Knowledge PIll – as part of our investigation into how they work. We then shared our proposals with the company and are planning on further collaboration as part of the Smart Cities project. 

Learning takes on new meaning when it moves beyond the classroom. Students were able to understand that research skills, design thinking and feedback are not a requirement that teachers invented; they are part of everyday life in the working world. They also discovered that just 15 minutes away from their school in the city center, there is a living, breathing ecosystem designed to regenerate and inspire the philosophy behind companies like Oway. We are so grateful for the experience and look forward to this continued bridge between industry and school, with our common goal of a more sustainable future.

Thank you, Oway and Young Smart Cities!