DuPage County and SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) are accepting project proposals from local high school students for the 12th annual Sustainable Design Challenge. Scheduled for April 17, the Sustainable Design Challenge encourages students to construct building and landscape models by using environmental and water-friendly design practices.
“This really is a fun event every year at the County,” said DuPage County Stormwater management committee chairman Jim Zay. “Not only do we learn from these students about innovative design techniques, but we are also able to see how much the building models progress year over year. At this point, I don’t doubt some of the designs will one day be implemented.”
In addition to inspiring students to explore careers in urban planning, architecture and engineering, the competition promotes environmental and stormwater education within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum in local high schools.
SCARCE founder and executive director Kay McKeen emphasizes the importance of STEM education both in and out of the classroom.
“It’s great that students are receiving STEM education in the classroom, at all ages,” said McKeen. “However, I think relating it to the real world in such a hands-on manner is what helps grow students’ passion for STEM fields and industries.”
All DuPage County high schools are encouraged to participate. Frequent competitors include students from Wheaton Warrenville South, Wheaton North, Naperville North, Glenbard South, Glenbard East, Addison Trail, College Preparatory School of America, Neuqua Valley, York High School, Willowbrook, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South, and Lake Park High Schools.
Registration will be open until April 4. For information on participating in this year’s challenge, visit www.scarce.org/event/2018-sustainable-design-challenge.
All projects will be on display to the public from 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. April 17 at DuPage County’s JTK Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.
—DuPage County
