Shipping containers have lots of uses including apartments and storage - you name it! But have you ever heard of converting old shipping containers into portable classrooms? Students in Chickasaw, Alabama are doing exactly that! A class at Chickasaw High School has been working on this project for a few months. They are creating these classrooms for third world countries, including a poverty-stricken community in Honduras, that has no electricity. The shipping containers will be donated to areas that need them and will be powered by computer labs and solar panels. Additionally, the containers will also double as a storm shelter for added protection as these areas are prone to heavy weather and natural disasters. In 2022, when the classroom containers are ready to be shipped, the students will be able to travel to Honduras to do the final setup. 

The staff are very fond of this idea too! Brian Copes from the Brian Copes’ Architecture and Construction Class said this project benefits both students in Honduras and Chickasaw, as this hands-on project allows students to learn new skills and think about their futures in their architectural careers. He said to American news outlet NBC: "I’m starting to see the kids more engaged and seeing their work ethics and problem-solving skills comes into play." 

Additionally, Dr. Michele Eller, Assistant Superintendent of Chickasaw City Schools said: "This has opened their eyes more than any type of book work or assignment. Because they know that the project they are working on is going to change lives."

Students have also had their say - David Smith, a Chickasaw High School Student told NBC: "It's a good opportunity because some people don't know what to do after graduation." 

Jaylin Nichols, a Chickasaw High School Student said: "The stuff we are learning, we will carry it with us our whole lives.”

It isn’t just American students paving the way for the ‘shipping container classroom’ idea for poverty-stricken areas - a solar-powered computer lab in South Africa, Barrydale, was set up in November 2020 by Net vir Pret, in partnership with the University of Cape Town’s Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation. The movement is sponsored by Dell Technologies and these container labs can be found in countries across the world, including Mexico, Colombia, Morocco, Kenya and Ethiopia! Each classroom has widely opened up new opportunities for students who have little or no access to the internet in third world countries. Classes in these solar-powered labs are expected to start as early as this year, in 2021!

Is this the future - shipping container classrooms? If we have easy access to these containers, why not use them to their full potential and create meaningful spaces that young people and students can learn and develop in? If you’re thinking of hiring or buying a shipping container, get in touch with us and see how we can help below.

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