Experiential Learning Classroom: Inside an Innovative Classroom at Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School

How hands-on education, sustainability, and student-led innovation are reshaping what school can be

Homeroom Teacher: Mr. Murji , Vice Principal: Chris Demakopoulos

Our team at EnvironBuzz Magazine recently had the opportunity and privilege to visit Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School and spend time in Mr. Murji’s homeroom classroom. What we experienced was nothing short of inspiring.

From the moment we walked in, we were struck by the students’ energy, curiosity, and genuine excitement to be there. Every student we met was eager to learn, collaborate, and proudly share what they were working on. This classroom represents the kind of “out-of-the-box” thinking we urgently need in education today.

We live in a world where essential life skills, cooking, trades, digital editing, video creation, entrepreneurship, and financial independence, are often learned much later in life, depending on circumstance or career path. At Sir Ernest MacMillan, these skills are treated as universal, foundational, and just as important as traditional academics. Learning here is hands-on, experiential, and deeply connected to real life.

Learning Through Experience and Community

The students themselves gave us a tour of the classroom. At one point, a student made us coffee using a professional-grade machine similar to those used at Starbucks. We joked with her that at this rate, with so much practice already under her belt, she was well on her way to becoming a professional coffee barista.

This isn’t just a classroom activity, it’s a real, transferable skill that could one day support employment and independence.

Nature plays a central role in the learning environment. Research shows that many students are becoming disengaged from school and would rather stay home. Yet every student we spoke to in this classroom said they were excited to come to school every day. This kind of environment fosters harmony, connection, and belonging, and naturally reduces bullying and social isolation.

Key Features of the Classroom

Living Ecosystems
The classroom includes an aquarium filled with small fish, creating a living ecosystem students care for together. Feeding routines, observation, and shared responsibility help build social skills and a sense of community. There is also a class turtle, an absolute favorite among the students.

Collaborative Design
Instead of traditional individual desks, the classroom uses collaborative workspaces that encourage teamwork and shared problem-solving. The chairs are made from recyclable materials, reinforcing sustainability not just in theory, but in daily practice.

Connection to the Outdoors
A large window wall opens the classroom to the outside, allowing natural light and views of nature—an approach supported by research showing improved focus, well-being, and learning outcomes.

Skills-Building Area
Students learn practical construction skills by building furniture and working with tools, developing confidence, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving abilities.

Plant and Food Sustainability Zone
Students grow their own plants and plan menus around what they harvest, learning firsthand about food systems, sustainability, and sourcing their own food.

Cultural and Identity Space
One student shared that her favorite part of the classroom was the culture area, where she could collaborate with peers from her Tamil community, learn more about her heritage, and share it with the class. Cultural displays, storytelling, and dialogue create a space where diversity is celebrated. The classroom also emphasizes land acknowledgement, with outdoor learning circles dedicated to understanding Indigenous land rights—bringing students back to learning with the environment, not just about it.

Technology That Supports, Not Replaces, Learning

The classroom uses AI thoughtfully and intentionally. The system can simulate natural elements like rain and thunder, adjust temperature to meet students’ needs, and support classroom coordination. It even listens to and engages with students’ stories.

The space is highly sensory-oriented, with water fountains and basins that create calming sounds and tactile experiences. Studies show that students with ADHD or anxiety often regulate and focus better when engaging with water—some are able to concentrate for extended periods after grounding themselves this way.

Young Entrepreneurs in Action

Students also build their own websites and small businesses. During classroom trade fairs, they sell their products to kindergarten students, learning entrepreneurship in a real-world setting.

Some of the student businesses we learned about included:

• Mac-Mask: Created by  students who design and sell custom masks to help peers with Halloween costumes.
  
• Sweet Wand: Run by Aesha and Angeline, a business focused on making creative, fun items that encourage kids to express themselves freely.
  

Rethinking What a Classroom Can Be

Some may argue that this approach is unconventional or overly complex. But the joy, confidence, and engagement on students’ faces tell a different story. Learning here is alive, meaningful, and deeply human.

This is a classroom built on sustainability, creativity, and thoughtful use of AI, not to replace teachers, but to support them. Most importantly, it’s a space where students don’t just learn to pass exams, they learn for life.