What Are M3 Community Projects?
At Somersfield Academy, we equip students with the skills they need to change the world. The M3 Community Project, part of our Middle Years Programme (MYP), gives students the chance to take on meaningful challenges that benefit their communities. This project is a great way for students to learn by doing, as they engage with real-world issues and work together to find solutions.
Leadership and Independence
The M3 Community Project encourages students to take charge of their learning and their actions. Instead of just following instructions, students choose a project that they care about, plan how to carry it out, and work with Community Partners to make it happen. This helps them develop leadership skills and accountability.
Waves of Gratitude, formed by MYP students Gregg Mwangi, Tatum Brewer, and Grayson Toogood, spent time volunteering with local charities like Meals on Wheels, WindReach, and the Bermuda Red Cross. They wrote articles to spotlight these organisations and even created an award to recognise fellow students for small acts of kindness. Their project combined hands-on service with storytelling, reminding others that community impact often starts with gratitude and small, consistent actions.
Collective Action
The M3 Community Project also emphasises collaboration with local organisations and professionals. By partnering with groups in the community, students gain new insights and see how teamwork can lead to positive change.
An example of this is the partnership between Somersfield Academy’s M3 students, Zoë Mir, Adriana DeCouto, and Aura Doran, and the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS). Together, they expanded the Bermuda Micro Forest Project to include Somersfield’s campus. BZS supported the project by providing trees and guidance, and local families donated resources. This project wasn’t just about the students working on their own—it was about connecting with others in the community to achieve a shared goal.
Practical Skills
While the M3 Community Project is an academic activity, it’s also about learning skills that students can use in the future. The project gives students the chance to tackle real problems, develop solutions, and practice skills like planning, communication, project management, and teamwork.
The Kids Discovery Garden project, led by Frankie Arnold, Darius Mills, and Alessio Dane Pinardi, is another initiative where students identified a need and worked together to find a solution. Recognising the lack of a safe, child-friendly space in the Botanical Gardens, they organised a successful fundraiser to purchase materials, including native plants and gardening tools. The garden they created offers both a learning opportunity for young children and a space for families to connect with nature.
Learn More About Our M3 Community Projects
We’re proud of the work our M3 students do as part of their Community Project. Every year, they take on new challenges that make a positive impact on our school and beyond. If you’d like to see what our students have achieved in the past, check out the “Community Projects” tag for our previous M3 Community Projects on our blog.