The inquiring minds of students at Granville East Public School have been putting one of Australia’s largest transport projects through its paces.

Stage 3 students at the western Sydney school recently investigated the pros and cons of the Sydney Metro West project, due to open in the area in 2032.

Principal Louise Reynolds described the project as student agency at its best.

“We do this inquiry project called Grapple, where students work in teams on a real life problem or dilemma,” Ms Reynolds said.

“Sydney Metro was a great opportunity to look at technology, sustainability, economics - a whole range of things.”

School captain Mustapha Kassem said the project should have a largely positive impact.

“Where it’s already running it’s been helping people travel around Sydney in a faster way. It also helps get cars off the streets, so it reduces pollution and congestion,” he said.

“It does have a negative effect too. For example, in Parramatta some stores had to shut down because of the construction. Less people came to the store.”

Year 5 student Bassam Hames-Kara-Hassam was looking forward to how accessible the Metro would be.

“It’s public, so anyone can go on it. If you’re on a wheelchair, or you’re blind, you can still go on it,” he said.

“Everyone’s welcome.”

Ms Reynolds said the findings of the students’ investigation were presented to visiting representatives from Sydney Metro.

“It was a chance to showcase their learning,” she said.

“Because part of learning is not just learning something but being able to articulate it and being able to say why it’s important.”

Year 6 student Jacquie Qiu was impressed by the speed of the service, which she said would change the lives of commuters.

“The speed of it will help them to travel faster and get to places on time. It will also help businesses despite the disruption during construction,” she said.

“After it’s built ... a lot of people will go on it and it will be safe. The impact will change everything.”

Ms Reynolds said the project had the potential to spark new interests for students.

“Students have seen jobs they never knew existed,” she said.

“One of our First Nations students came back and said they’re looking for First Nations workers. That’s something he never would’ve known had he not been part of this.”