Author: Cathy Dykstra (Grade 5 Teacher, Kortright Hills P.S., Guelph)
For their “Conservation of Energy” unit, the grade 5 “Water Rocker” class at Kortright Hills P.S. researched sustainable energy and what the term “sustainable” means. Next, they researched sustainable energy vehicles that already exist around the world. Their task was to take some of those ideas and create their own original sustainable energy vehicles. Their inquiries quickly led to them learning about sustainable materials that their vehicles could be made from. Tires made from Milkweed? Car seats from Bamboo? Many of the students also wanted to help the plastic problem by making vehicle parts out of plastic bottles. The students described their vehicle designs in letters to the Guelph mayor. Then they had fun building their vehicles out of plastiscene, cardboard, and paper. They also made short one minute videos describing why we all need to be more sustainable at both home and school. These learners were even featured on a local radio show 93.3 CFRU talking about their research and their environmental hopes and fears for the future.
On separate occasions, the Water Rockers invited Guelph City Councillors, a School Board Trustee, a teacher from the Guelph Outdoor School, sustainability experts from both the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo, and representatives from a company called Our Energy Guelph to not only see their projects, but to offer their own ideas and feedback. This was extremely exciting for this incredible group of young environmentalists. The hope is that some of the students will be given opportunities to present their sustainability research to local businesses. Hopefully, their ideas will spread throughout the community and beyond. Perhaps one of their vehicles will even be built one day with the help of these local partners.
Not only do learning situations such as these truly engage students and inspire them to gain a deeper understanding, they are also incredibly meaningful and purposeful. They connect students to the community in an important way and add an extra layer of value to their learning and understanding. The adults in the community LOVE to see for themselves that young people care deeply about the planet. The students, in turn, feel like capable, knowledgeable, young environmental citizens and are inspired to make a difference in their homes, their schools, and in their community. Guelph City Council has made a mandate recently to make Guelph 100% sustainable by 2050, and as a community these conversations matter.
This one project will have a long-lasting impact on all of my Water Rocker students and I couldn’t be prouder or more inspired!