December 3, grade 7 students at BCHS took part in Skills Exploration Days hosted by Skills Alberta. Students were put into teams and each had to develop a prototype or scale model of a dwelling that might be unique to their community and that could withstand the climate and geography of their area. Teams needed to consider the availability of materials, local and traditional designs, the environmental impact of the dwelling, and the needs of the ideal people who might live in the structure. In addition to the above requirements, their prototype or scale model had to satisfy at least two of the following identified concerns:
• Be moveable/portable
• Be easily replicated
• Primarily use sustainable building materials/techniques/design principles
• Be energy efficient (consider eco-friendly options for heating/cooling, sustainable/renewable energy sources, water recycling)
• Implement regenerative infrastructure practices to restore the surrounding ecosystem/environment
• Provide an affordable alternative to traditional housing
Eighty-five different schools joined from all around the province to come up with creative solutions to the challenge problem. Students combined their Science knowledge with their practical CTF skills, Math & communication experience, to plan, design, and build their prototypes. The students worked hard, overcame challenges, and were able to demonstrate impressive growth and understanding as the day progressed. We want to thank Skills Alberta and their partners for hosting the event and providing the materials to make the day a huge success!