Sustainability education zones

UWCSEA STORIES

Sustainability education zones

learning with nature

Environmental education is interwoven throughout the College’s learning programme and students are encouraged to connect concepts, test theories and put their ideas into action. The College uses a systems thinking approach, recognising that our campuses, community and curriculum are interconnected and impact on each other.

Keeping our environmental stewardship learning areas up to date is essential for learner engagement and continued innovation. Thanks to generous community support, the East sustainability team, led by Claire Psillides, Head of Environmental Sustainability, updated several locations around the East Campus in 2019/2020.

INVESTING IN LEARNING AREAS AND EQUIPMENT

Compost Centre In 2019/2020 the sustainability team installed new informational signs, allowing community members to independently compost, without the need for additional support. Community members are encouraged to go green and make use of the Centre (located at the bottom of the stairs beside Santai Cafe). Pick up a metal compost bucket from the shelf at the entrance, collect kitchen scraps at home and when it’s full, bring it back to school for composting. Compost waste is also collected through the canteens and offices by students and, once ready, is used in campus gardens. Additional improvements this year include new shelves, sliding fronts to the bays to contain the compost, upgraded washing stations, gravel to prevent splash back and an entrenched drainage channel; all helping to make the Compost Centre pleasant and vibrant.

Raw Beauty, High School Environmental Initiative group Raw Beauty, a new initiative on East, collaborates with student Urban Gardening and Propagation groups to make sustainable cosmetics and soaps for Global Concern groups with a reduced carbon footprint due to local sourcing. Funds were used to purchase soap-making equipment. Raw Beauty is a circular economy business that uses locally grown raw materials to create non-toxic, low waste product sold by partner GC groups to raise funds on behalf of their NGO partner.

Rainforest Restoration Project New seedling tables were purchased. These tables enable seedlings to grow in controlled conditions, elevated from sudden floods and protected from the elements; they are specifically designed for students of all ages.

Zero Waste Centre The recycling area is gradually being transformed into an educational learning space, the Zero Waste Centre. Preliminary renovations began in 2019/2020 but were paused due to Singapore’s circuit breaker. The Zero Waste Centre will open to classes and Activity and Service groups and will spark opportunities to learn about the College’s waste management systems and to reuse and repurpose items onsite.

The Nest The Nest is a large rooftop garden that is used by several environmental initiatives groups such as Rainforest Restoration, Urban Gardening, Propagation, Grade 7 SEED classes and several mentor groups. Community support has enabled upgrading works, with plans for integrated irrigation systems, drainage systems and better shading for the endangered rainforest trees. Additionally, lighting and flooring for the outdoor classrooms, integrated planters with student seating and stand-up workstations have been installed.

Super Low Energy Campuses UWCSEA Dover and East were awarded Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy certification.

This award recognises buildings that are not only built and operating at the highest level of environmental sustainability but are also achieving at least 10% more energy efficiency compared to similar buildings. From using coconut husks as sports field infill, to solar panels, cooling roofs and walls, food waste management, tree nurseries and retrofitting our chiller plant, UWCSEA is leading the way–showing how buildings can play a part in helping create a more sustainable future. Take a virtual tour of our green campuses online! Learn more about green building design and development:

Dover Sustainability Tour

East Sustainability Tour