The students refurbished the bikes as part of their “Pedal Empowerment Program”— a six-week alternative skill development program.
The students had the opportunity to develop teamwork, thinking skills, goal setting, reflection, as well as bike skills, including hands-on mechanical skills and riding.
They then presented the bikes to Debbie Johns of the Cobram Youth Op-Shop.
Students who participated said they were able to learn and apply a number of skills while they were participating in the program.
“The pedal program has taught me how to work as a team and be more patient when solving problems,” said Year 8 student Chloe Alexander.
“The pedal program has shown me that when I stick at things, I can be successful,” fellow Year 8 student Codi Bowden said.
CSC student engagement and connectedness teacher Brayden Stone said the program let students develop skills outside, rather than inside, the classroom.
“It’s been really beneficial that they’ve also had an opportunity (to learn) outside the classroom ... they learn the theory, then they can apply it through hands-on tasks,” he said.
Mr Stone said the bikes came in with a range of problems, which the students had to research how to fix themselves, meaning each bike brought its own challenge.
However, it was the community service aspect that distinguished it from other programs.
“We wanted to make it all about what we could do to serve the community ... it’s really good community service to the kids and knowing they’d give back,” Mr Stone said.
The program culminates in a bike ride this week, incorporating the bike riding and fixing skills the students have learnt over the course of the program.
Mr Stone said he hopes to expand the applied learning opportunities at CSC in the future with programs like this one.
“We’re hoping to expand applied learning in general, I think there’s a gap in the curriculum for it,” he said.
“The current education system doesn’t quite seem to meet this need.”