Greener aims of ambassadors

YOUNG scientists from Newton Abbot’s pioneering secondary school, South Devon University Technical College, are set to make a difference to the environment after launching an eco-ambassador project.

Founded by scientists Fyn Hayes, 17, and Luke Dawson, 18, the new eco-ambassador group aims to improve the college’s environmental footprint. Driven by the determination of students, the group will also explore how to make a positive difference to the local environment.

Funds saved by the self-sufficiency projects driven by the eco-ambassadors group will provide sports equipment for the college, keeping students healthy and active in their free time.

The eco-ambassador group has already discussed plans to use the college planters to source materials for use in A Level and GCSE Biology classes. Onion skins, algal balls and banana fibres are just some of the resources that will be grown for use in laboratory experiments.

The group will be responsible for nurturing and growing these resources in the planters and the ponds found in the college grounds.

During the first term, the group also took part in a beach clean in association with the “Beach Care” initiative. Their work to clean the beaches at Dawlish Warren contributed to one of the 1,121 beaches cleaned and 158 tonnes removed from beaches in the South West.

The team are also planning to analyse the amount of waste the college produces at break times. Currently sourcing practical and affordable alternatives to single-use plastic, banana leaves and bamboo cups may soon replace the polystyrene trays and cups in the college’s kitchens.

Principal Claire Plumb commented: “This is an exciting project for our young scientists and environmentalists to get stuck into and we hope to improve the college’s environmental footprint and that of the surrounding environment. It’s the first step to making our college a greener, more positively sustainable environment.”

Luke Dawson, Helen Plumb (Science Technician), Fyn Hayes and Katie Schneider (Science Technician)

Kiaira Lee