Deep learning through projects and play at primary school
Katharine Young
Katharine is a primary school teacher based in northern Spain who believes deep learning begins with curiosity. In her classroom, she invites students to start by reflecting on what they already know and what they want to learn. From there, she encourages them to work in interest-based groups and investigate topics independently, transforming them into active rather than passive learners. Her project-based learning approach places students in real-world problem-solving situations, such as redesigning an entire city using principles of sustainability, history, and science. Students face challenges like building electrical circuits that work without external power, often learning through trial, error, and collaboration. Katherine supports exploration with just enough structure and guidance, making learning meaningful through experience. She also uses theater as a transformative and memorable tool, especially in language learning, giving students a dynamic, creative space where they build confidence and connection.
Listen to Katharine
“The key is you give them a problem and they have to solve it, and perhaps you need to give them an incentive to want to solve that problem.”
Katharine Young
Katharine Young
Katharine Young is an English educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She has directed primary school programmes and coordinated English language initiatives for vulnerable communities. She has bachelor’s degrees in primary school education and English literature and a master’s degree in international solidarity and social inclusion. She is currently involved in the research and development of projects on education for sustainable development and global citizenship, as well as international cooperation projects that support the educational and psychosocial needs of vulnerable children in conflict situations.
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Katharine Young