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Passion Projects Powering Minds at Delnorte School
Passion Projects Powering Minds at Delnorte School
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Inside Education was founded in 1985 with a mandate to support K-12 school teachers across Alberta and inspire their students when it comes to working towards a balanced, sustainable future for the environment, economy and society.
It continues to live up to its vision, and its A+ For Energy Grant supports more than 20 energy and climate education initiatives at the school level annually. One such example was supporting a net zero greenhouse project at Delnorte School in Innisfree in the 2022-23 school year. Building on that success, Delnorte School applied for and received a $2,500 for its ‘Power of Passion Projects’ for the 2023-24 school year.
The Power of Passion Projects give students the opportunity to plan, design and execute an energy passion project of their choosing. It’s intended to help increase student engagement as well as reduce the overall carbon footprint of the school and the community.
Some of the passion projects include: using a 3-D printer to create a net zero self-watering system for the greenhouse, creation of a compost system, using pedal bikes to generate electricity, using solar panels to power a phone charging station, and creating an eco-friendly cleaning project to name a few.
Principal Rachel Miller explained that, small groups of Grade 7-12 students had to write a proposal, outline their goal, plan their project, and present a budget with the cost of materials. The groups had between two and five students and the projects were based on common areas of interests. A total of 29 students (nine groups) were involved with the projects.
Miller said, “All of the projects are based on learning math, science, language arts and social studies.” As well, they all involve sustainability.” Having the opportunity to learn about things they are interested in has made a big difference in the amount of personal interest, enthusiasm and dedication to their projects.
“It has generated a lot of excitement and engagement from students.” Additionally, they have sent updates to parents and community members about the projects. Miller said, “It makes it so much easier to have successful project when you have great community support.” For example, sewing machines and fabric were donated to the recyclable grocery bags project along with instruction by a volunteer community member Gayle Foyster.
All of the students were excited to share information about their projects before their Christmas break and will have the opportunity to present their innovative projects to the school and community at an end of year gala.
Miller said elementary students will have the same opportunity to get involved in their own passion projects. Innovation, ingenuity, analytical thinking, teamwork are all part and parcel of the process which is elevating students’ educational experience to a whole new level at Delnorte School.
