What is YouThink?
Youthink is a program for year 9 students coordinated by the Education Foundation with support from the City of Melbourne.
Through Youthink students develop an idea of how to make Melbourne even better. Students work in teams to think, plan, research and
communicate their idea to a diverse audience at the end of the year. The audience will include Local Government representatives,
philanthropists, change-makers, business representatives, educators and other young people.
Government schools that participate in Youthink will be offered curriculum support
(click here to see Youthink Curriculum Resources) and regular contact with Education Foundation's Youthink Project Manager.
Youthink Leadership and Skills Day
Students who register will attend a youth leadership day in June. There they will learn the skills to develop their idea into a proposal to present at the end of the year. Numbers will be limited to ensure a diverse representation of schools interested in the program.
Youth Action Conference
Between 6-10 groups who work hard to communicate their proposals will be selected to present their ideas to a diverse audience at Education Foundation's Youth Action Conference in November.
What do I need to know?
- All group members must be in year 9.
- All groups must have attended one of the Coalition of City Schools during the course of 2008 or be located within in the City of Melbourne
- Groups may consist of 3 to 6 students.
- There must be a liaison teacher at the school willing to support the group or groups through the process of the competition.
What do I need to do?
- Click here to register your group and/or call Sally Morgan at Education Foundation on 9663 7007 for more information.
- Allow significant time, within or beyond class, for students to build their vision into a viable proposal for the City of Melbourne.
- Use whichever Youthink Curriculum Resources are useful to you.
- Stay in contact with Education Foundation to arrange feedback times with the Youthink Project Manager.
What do students learn?
Students who participate in Youthink will develop skills in futures thinking and leadership, developing and analysing proposals and presentation techniques. All requirements of this project link directly to VELS and thus provide a unique and concrete structure for schools to meet the standards and expose students to an engaging and empowering learning experience. (Click here to see Youthink Curriculum Resources).
What makes a great proposal?
Students should consider the City of Melbourne's young people's policy when developing their ideas. How does the proposal fit with the following criteria?
Vision
The City of Melbourne's vision is to create an inclusive, fair and healthy city where every young person can benefit from vibrant and cohesive communities, where young people are listened to, their rights are respected and their unique contribution and potential is realised.
Project Building Blocks
All proposals should strive to use all aspects of the four Project Building Blocks and will be selected for final presentation by teachers and Education Foundation staff assessing how well they address each area:
- Communication
Communicate effectively as a team.
Translates vision into real and achievable outcomes.
Communicates the connections between the research and the vision effectively - Sustainable
Does the team work in a sustainable way?
Does your vision think globally and act locally?
Is your proposed action sustainable?. - Inclusive and Engaging
Includes community voice.
Assesses and addresses community need.
The vision empowers community values - Values and Vision
Acts in accordance with group agreed values.
Contributes to the development of the community values.
Values support vision for the community.
Please enter your details
For best results, do not use the "Back" button on your browser to avoid losing any unsaved data.
Those fields with * are Mandatory fields.
