Creating Experiences, Driving Social Impact: Bringing Augmented Reality to St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary

At Make The Change, we believe technology is most powerful when it helps young people not only create, but also connect, communicate, and make a positive impact in the world around them.

That was the spirit behind our recent Technology & Innovation Discovery Session at St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary, where we engaged Lower Secondary students as part of the school’s EPIC (Exploring Pathways, Interests and Careers) Day 2026.

Over two one-hour sessions, students stepped into the world of augmented reality (AR) and explored how technology can create immersive experiences, solve real-world problems, and drive meaningful social impact.

More Than Just a Tech Demo

The session, titled “Creating Experiences, Driving Social Impact”, was designed to give students a glimpse into the possibilities of the digital world while also helping them see how creativity, innovation, and purpose can come together in future careers.

We began by sharing Pedro Aguirre’s personal journey into education, creativity, and social entrepreneurship, and how Make The Change uses technology to design learning experiences that empower young people and communities.

From there, students were introduced to the growing role of AR across industries, including education and retail, museums, digital marketing, and interactive storytelling. The goal was not simply to show students what AR is, but to help them understand how technology can be used to create experiences that are engaging, meaningful, and relevant to people’s lives.

Technology with Purpose

One of the key messages we wanted students to take away was that innovation is not only about building new tools. It is about using those tools with intention.

During the session, we explored how technology and creativity can support causes that matter, whether by making learning more interactive, creating content that raises awareness, designing more accessible experiences, or using digital storytelling to inspire action on sustainability and community issues.

This is also what makes Make The Change’s approach different. We do not see technology as an end in itself. We see it as a platform for expression, empathy, collaboration, and positive action.

Hands-On with Augmented Reality

Of course, no AR session would be complete without students having the chance to try it for themselves.

In the hands-on segment, students used iPads to experiment with AR tools and create their own digital experiences. Even within a limited time frame, it was exciting to see how quickly they embraced the challenge, explored the technology, and began turning their ideas into something visual and interactive.

Some students focused on playful and creative concepts, while others thought about how AR could be used to communicate messages, tell stories, or create more engaging experiences for others. What stood out most was their willingness to experiment and their confidence in trying something new.

We were especially encouraged by the quality of the ideas students produced in such a short session. A selection of their work has been uploaded to our Padlet showcase, and it is always rewarding to see how quickly young people can move from curiosity to creation when given the right tools and encouragement.

Why These Experiences Matter

Discovery sessions like this are not about turning every student into a programmer or AR designer. They are about helping young people see that the future of work is not limited to traditional job titles or linear pathways.

AR opens up conversations about a wide range of careers and possibilities, from UX/UI design, content creation, app development, and digital marketing to creative technology, product design, and social entrepreneurship. More importantly, it helps students understand that future-ready careers will increasingly require a blend of creativity, digital literacy, collaboration, and problem-solving.

When students are given the chance to experience emerging technologies in a hands-on and purposeful way, they begin to see that they, too, can be creators, innovators, and changemakers.

Looking Ahead

We are grateful to St Anthony’s Canossian Secondary for the opportunity to be part of EPIC Day 2026 and to share this learning journey with their students.

It was a joy to see students engage so openly with the ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and produce such creative AR work in such a short time. Moments like these remind us why exposure matters. Sometimes all it takes is one session, one tool, or one spark of curiosity to help a young person see a new possibility for themselves.

At Make The Change, we remain committed to creating learning experiences that help young people not only understand technology but also use it with purpose, imagination, and heart.

If your school is looking to introduce students to AR, digital creativity, future-ready skills, or innovation for social impact, we’d love to explore how we can support your learners.