The Eco House Design Challenge - Holte School as seen on Lozells News

The Eco House Design Challenge project was, introduced to Holte School to give Yr 9 students an opportunity to develop an understanding of the issues considered in sustainable house design.

Students attended the Grand Designs and Interbuild exhibitions at the NEC to find out about a wide range of eco-technologies such as, solar panels; ground source heat pumps; grey water recycling; types of insulation, and the use of recycled materials in construction.

Technology, and geography lessons were given over to the project for two weeks to allow students to research and develop their ideas in the run up to the competition.

On the day of the event the whole of Year 9 took part in the competition, working hard throughout the morning to complete designs and presentations to put forward for the final stage of the competition. From six form groups each group put forward their best design team to compete in the Dragons Den style competition in the afternoon.

After lunch the six teams to reach the final presented their Eco-House Designs to the Dragons Den. The Dragons Den, asked some very challenging questions of the finalists, who defended their design decisions well under scrutiny.

All in all the event was a great success, the whole of year 9 were able to learn how to reduce energy consumption & carbon emissions, and how sustainable lifestyles can contribute to combating climate change.

But this is just the beginning of the story for up to 32 of the Year 9 students who took part.

The Eco House Design Challenge is part of a larger Lozells Eco-Village project, funded by Urban Living, and delivered by Birmingham City Council.

The Housing Education Initiative have developed a range of activities with Holte School, local primary schools, and Mayfield Special School, to raise awareness, working towards a sustainable community in Lozells..

For 32 students from Holte school who have shown particular interest in developing their knowledge further, this will mean an opportunity to be trained as energy assessors in the next phase of the project Junior Green Doctors. These students are to be trained to advise residents of Lozells how to reduce their energy consumption, and carbon emissions, and will be visiting relatives and friends to assess their homes, and advise where improvements can be made.

The Junior Green Doctors will then be given the opportunity to attend a week residential course in May 2010 at the Centre for Alternative Technology in mid Wales to further develop their understanding of climate change, eco-technology, and sustainable living.

The Lozells Eco-Village project is to be celebrated with the school and local residents at a Schools Eco-Event to be held in July 2010. Including presentations, and exhibitions of Holte Schools involvement in the project.

Category:

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