Disengaged students welcomed to high-end beauty lab
The popularity of beauty products online has led a Tasmanian organisation to try an unusual idea to help keep students at school. A social enterprise group has set up a high-end beauty laboratory so young people can create their own products and learn about science along the way.
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00:00 In the middle of one of Tasmania's most disadvantaged suburbs, a shed once used for drying onions
00:09 has been converted into a beauty laboratory.
00:12 How's the temperature going guys?
00:15 Students from nearby schools are invited in to create their own products.
00:19 I didn't expect so much like fancy big machinery, but yeah, it's been really cool.
00:26 The beauty lab is a social enterprise founded by artist Kirsha Keshela, wife of the Museum
00:32 of Old and New Art owner David Walsh.
00:36 She wanted to lift engagement in education in the area and started by asking young people
00:42 what they're interested in.
00:43 Again and again the girls and a few boys would say, "Beauty, I want to do hair, nails, makeup."
00:50 The lab is designed to capture that interest and teach science along the way.
00:55 Kind of lure them in through their interests and trick them into learning.
01:01 She admits she went rogue on the budget, installing blue onyx bench tops and an Italian glass
01:07 chandelier.
01:08 I feel like they elevate a space in a way that has a ripple effect of engagement.
01:16 There's a business element to this social enterprise as well and it turns out being
01:20 able to sell the products is another great motivator to learn.
01:24 We have a Bayview market at school and they're so excited to be able to take these products
01:29 there and sell them and show off to the local community.
01:32 And it's inspired these students to look to the future.
01:35 I want to do maybe like a scientist, like marine biology.
01:39 I really like skincare and makeup too.
01:43 Maybe be like a celebrity.
01:45 Big dreams brewing in a small shed.
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