Learning from Life Along the Fly River

Building Flood-Resistant and Sustainable Communities in Western Province

In May 2024, communities in Western Province were severely affected by floods that lasted for more than a month, disrupting daily routines and livelihoods. For people living along the mighty Fly River, flooding is not an occasional disaster — it is a constant reality of life by the water. While the river provides food, water, and transport, it also poses challenges that shape how communities live and adapt.

We brought this real-world situation into our classroom as part of an integrated Science and Social Science lesson on Weather, Climate Change, and the Effects of Climate Change. The flood event became a powerful entry point for our STEM Project-Based Learning (PBL). By grounding the lesson in real experiences, students could see how the environment directly influences people’s lives.

From the beginning, we asked a driving question:
“How might we help the communities affected by floods so that they can be resilient and sustainable?”

This guiding question launched our STEM journey. Students explored practical solutions such as safer housing designs, early warning systems, and sustainable practices that would help communities adapt and thrive despite ongoing floods. Through modeling and creative problem-solving, they envisioned what a flood-resilient community could look like.

What stood out most was how deeply students empathized with the affected communities. They weren’t just completing a school project; they were thinking about real families, real challenges, and real futures along the Fly River.

From this learning experience, our theme was born:
💡 Flood Resilient and Sustainable Community in Western Province.

This project reminded us that education is most impactful when it connects directly to life. By transforming local challenges into learning opportunities, we equip young people not only with knowledge but also with the vision and skills to build a stronger, more resilient future for Papua New Guinea.