KANGAROO Inn Area School is leading the way in adopting natural lifestyles with the development of an ambitious self-sustaining environmental project.
The school will build on its exisiting sustainability focus to establish a new Centre for Sustainable Living which will include a major renewable energy project.
The multidisciplinary and integrated science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) project will see students construct and install solar energy to the school’s fish farm and produce garden.
Students will construct a solar panel to be attached to a battery storage bank and pump which will be used to power wastewater from fishes as a fertilised source of irrigation.
The project also includes the construction of a renewable solar dehydrator and a greenhouse and the completion of a fully renewable and sustainable fish farm and produce garden.
Kangaroo Inn Area School science and technology teacher Tom Davidson said the innovative education facility would assist in shifting to a renewable energy-based and reuse and recycle economy.
“The project will emphasise several principles of sustainability through waste minimisation and recycling of energy,” he said.
“The construction and utilisation of a passive solar food dehydrator will see excess produce be preserved for student-staffed farmers markets as a fundraising opportunity, or delivery to homeless shelters or those in need.
“Construction of a greenhouse will aid in the germination of vegetable seedling as well as local indigenous flora aimed at revegetation projects.
“These projects will be in theme with an entire school community-wide shift towards becoming educated consumers and embracing waste minimisation and recycling.”
The school will be assisted with a $20,000 State Government STEM Career Development grant, which will help in building partnerships with businesses and encourage students to pursue careers in STEM-related industries.
