Senator for the ACT Kate Lundy today presented Latham year 5/6 primary school students with an award for their environmentally sustainable housing projects.
The projects were part of a 7 week program in which students had to engage with parents, family and friends as homework, to come up with ideas for this year’s topic- environmentally sustainable housing.
58 students participated in the project presenting their ideas either via power point, models or a talk, with 12 short listed by their teachers. The 12 short listed students were then judged by Lou Agnello (Director Mantena Construction Company), Vince Ball (Construction Industry Training Council) and Principal of Latham Primary School, Melissa Travers.
This years’ winner Patrick Walker, created a 3D model of an environmentally sustainable house which included grey and rain water tanks and solar panels. The runners up Kelsey O’Leary and Tanner Clark produced PowerPoint presentations of their designs which included ideas such as an under house water bladder, artificial turf, natural carpet and a dedicated drying cupboard.
Today the students presented their projects at Parliament House, to Senator Kate Lundy, Patron of the program.
The idea of the program is that students as well as family and friends are introduced to the construction industry and the different professions and trades that are available.
The program also gives students a chance to build on their public speaking skills as well as encouraging them to be environmentally conscious.
“To tackle climate change, the construction industry will play a big role in getting ideas such as these off the ground.
“These projects demonstrate some fantastic ideas that can not only be implemented in existing homes but can be used in the construction of new homes.
“I am inspired by the students clever ideas and congratulate them all for their participation in the sustainable housing project at my old school, Latham Primary,” Senator Lundy said.
Media contact: Annika Hutchins 0407 458 882.
