National Recognition for Students' Environmental Work

An education programme that encourages students to think creatively about sustainability has resulted in two national awards for Devon Intermediate School students.

The six year seven and eight students were named as having one of the top 20 DVDs in the Outlook for Someday sustainability film challenge, and also won the Ministry of Youth Development Youth Participation Award.

Principal Fiona Parkinson says the students worked extremely hard on their DVD, which presented the data the students had gathered about koura (freshwater crayfish) in Pukekura Park.

“It’s wonderful for them to receive national recognition for their work,” says Mrs Parkinson.

“The DVD was filmed as part of the 60 Springs programme through Puke Ariki, where the students work alongside environmental experts as well as receive mentoring in areas such as filming, photography and graphic design.”

The film is online at www.theoutlookforsomeday.net.

This is the third award Devon Intermediate students have won through 60 Springs, having last year gained a category award in the EMAP Koura Kraze Film Competition and being highly commended in the Taranaki Regional Council Freshwater Movie Challenge.

In addition, year 10 students at Waitara High School won the Fonterra Science and Technology Fair 2009 for their 60 Springs study on mustelids near the Waitara River mouth.

60 Springs is run by Puke Ariki and funded in partnership with Shell Exploration NZ Ltd and TRC.

Manager Puke Ariki Bill Macnaught says 60 Springs’ focus on sustainability includes the environment, the economy, history and other elements of Taranaki.

“We work with young people and teachers to look at the issues that are facing us as a community,” says Mr Macnaught.
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“Each individual project is developed with teachers, and students and can investigate any area or issues of interest that relate to sustainability.”

Shell New Zealand Country Chairman Rob Jager says: “60 Springs brings a new dimension to school studies by encouraging students to think creatively about the issues around them.

“We see the success of that creative thinking with this latest award from (organisation name) to the Devon Intermediate School students.

“We’re proud to sponsor 60 Springs as the work the students generate sits well with Shell’s approach of integrating economic, environmental and social considerations with business decisions,” says Mr Jager.

The 60 Springs programme is available to schools throughout Taranaki from Year 7 to Year 13 and while it was named after the natural springs in Pukekura Park, the programme is not restricted to just these waterways.

Outlook for Someday is a partnership between Connected Media, Enviroschools Foundation, WWF New Zealand and TVNZ 6.

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