The Faculty of Education at Queen’s is inviting all Ontario elementary and secondary school students to join in the Recycled Planter Challenge!
Students are asked to research, design, build, test, and then improve a windowsill planter project. Use recycled materials to create the best environment for either seed germination or re-growth of kitchen scraps… right in your own backyard or even on your balcony!
There are four individual divisions: Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior students. Students can select to do a seed germination or kitchen scrap re-growth project:
Seed Germination Project: Students are required to design and build the most efficient container for seed germination and plant growth. The planter must be constructed from mainly recycled materials and have some aspect of self-sufficiency to support the germination and growth processes. It is also required to be able to sit in a windowsill to allow for optimal sunlight absorption.
Kitchen Scrap Re-growth Project: Students are required to design and build the most efficient container for plant re-growth. The planter must be constructed mainly from recycled materials and have some aspect of self-sufficiency to support the growth process. It is also required to be able to sit in a windowsill to allow for optimal sunlight absorption.
The Challenge Guidelines
Take pictures at various stages of development and document the thinking and building process either in writing or video journaling. As the plant begins to grow, take pictures at different stages and record the number of days that have passed, demonstrating the success of the project and what alterations have been made to improve (if any).
We are striving for a student-driven project. Each student is expected to do their own individual work with minimal adult input (based on their division category). The internet has lots of great ideas for where to start on these types of projects and students are expected to improve on these ideas through their work.
We will be judging entries on four key areas.
- Little to no new material for the build (concentrate on materials that have been recycled or repurposed).
- The planter should be designed to provide the basic needs of the seed/plant: water, warmth, and sunlight are key to the germination process and continued growth, so design your planter to optimize the delivery of these basic needs.
- The end goal is to be able to grow /re-grow your own food, so your newly designed planter should be able to achieve the successful growth and development of your plant.
- Creativity and the uniqueness of the planter created in order to fulfill the first three goals.
Prizes
Winning entries will be chosen by a committee of staff and faculty and the Faculty of Education from each division and category. Each student winner will receive a $25 Indigo gift card.
One winning entry will receive a grand prize of an additional $100 Indigo gift card to the student’s school. The grand prize will show the most innovation and creativity in design across all categories.