The Use of Shipping Containers In Education

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Schools built from shipping containers? Is this for real?

Sure. Why Not?

These days new and used cargo containers are being repurposed for so many other functions. Nowadays shipping containers are not just reserved for the transportation of cargo and goods overseas, across land, or for storing archived documents, possessions and so on.

With such an incredibly sturdy construction, their mobility, and a modular shape that can be refashioned for other requirements, shipping containers are the perfect solution to so many other ideas, including school class rooms that are also relocatable.

Why Build a School Out of Shipping Containers?

Firstly, one of the most significant reasons for this decision is the cost. Repurposing and remodelling shipping containers into class rooms is a lot cheaper than having permanent structures built the conventional way. It’s also a lot faster.

Much of the work can be done off-site, which also helps reduce labour and construction costs. If the class rooms are built in such a way as they’re stand alone, then relocating them is a breeze. That’s something impossible to achieve with a permanent structure.

Shipping container schools are also sustainable and kinder to the environment.

For starters, disused cargo container are being recycled for a very positive purpose, preventing them from simply rusting away on the docks, or ending up as landfill.

If fitted with solar panels, modified shipping container class rooms can also be self-sustaining energy sources.

Because of their modular design, shipping containers are quite easy to combine to create larger educational spaces. In fact, they can even be stacked to build several levels.

When it comes to areas of the community that may be more socially or economically challenged, the humble shipping container solution makes for the perfect work around to construct a fully functional, cool and hip school on a tight budget.

The environmental and sustainability aspect of reusing shipping containers in this way is an educational lesson for school children in itself, as they’ll quickly learn the value of recycling and sustainability and be reminded of it on a daily basis in their own class rooms.

Other Advantages of Shipping Containers In Education

Building standard class rooms from cargo containers is not the only purpose a shipping container can serve when it comes to the education sector.

Another use for a used shipping container is as a storage facility. These can be used for storing the school’s documents, sporting equipment, educational materials, spare furniture and so on. Containers make for very convenient and highly secure storage and are readily moved about.

In fact, if the container used for storage needs to be moved closer to an area where unloading will take place, then that’s pretty much a snap.

How about converting a 40 foot container into a science laboratory? It’ll be the coolest science lab in the entire area, and most likely become a talking point as well.