Experiential Learning
Holistic and balanced education includes learning through experience. Based on Kurt Hahn’s Reform Pedagogy, RBC has developed a program that complements classroom learning.
Learning through experience is a particular focus at RBC
In addition to the IB program, our outdoor and CAS programs, project weeks as well as the school garden are important educational elements at UWC Robert Bosch College.
CAS stands for Creativity, Activity and Service.
The CAS program emphasizes taking on responsibility, empathic interaction with others and the development of creative and athletic skills. Every week, the students get to know Freiburg and the surrounding area through their social service and also develop their organizational and leadership skills. Independent work and organization are important components of the program. There are usually 70 activities offered per term, most of which are initiated and led by the students. Our community service program comprises 40 projects, over 20 of which take place in cooperation with outside institutions.
Learning to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, setting goals, developing yourself: CAS lets students decide for themselves where and how they want to grow.
Sport is offered as part of the CAS program
We have many partnerships with local clubs and facilities for the use of halls and sports fields. Our sports coordinator regularly organizes additional opportunities to try out sports, such as participating in the Freiburg Marathon or soccer and basketball matches between students and teachers. Sport is not a subject that can be chosen as part of the IB program.
An emphasis on responsibility
Our outdoor education program, project weeks and work in and around the school garden are additional learning experiences for our students. By challenging themselves to try out something new and take on responsibility for themselves and for others, they grow as individuals and as members of a community.
Outdoor Education
The outdoor education program at RBC is a central element of experiential education and leadership education in Kurt Hahn’s tradition. The program introduces students to the basics of living in and with nature through hiking and camping weekends or mountain biking in the neighboring Black Forest. Camping retreats take place several times a year and students are actively involved in the planning: hikes of varying degrees of difficulty offer challenges for everyone, regardless of previous experience. At the same time, the weekends are important tools for community-building and provide the basis for reflection as a year group or school community.
Project Weeks
Once a term, project weeks take students to destinations all over Europe. With the support of a teacher, students plan a specific project focusing on social service or experiential education. This includes independently organizing a volunteer partner organization, the group’s accommodation and travel. They have a budget of 23 euros per person and per day at their disposal. Many of our alumni report that the project weeks were among their most formative experiences, promoting a sense of community and independence and enabling them to really get to know one other.
Learning in the School Garden
Biodiversity and Sustainability: The former monastery garden is the heart of our campus and a place of learning and recreation at the same time. It offers students the opportunity to learn the basics of organic gardening. Together with several groups of students, our garden educators work in and around the garden in both summer and winter, digging, sowing, pruning branches, planting young trees, preparing seeds or discussing the organic cultivation plan for the coming season.