Addison Trail students participate in 10th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge

On April 5, Addison Trail students participated in the 10th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge at DuPage County’s Administration Building in Wheaton.

The event is coordinated by School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education (SCARCE) and is sponsored by DuPage County to encourage local schools to explore sustainability topics with students. According to a press release from the county, this year was the largest event, as more than 40 student groups from several DuPage County high schools presented models of their designs to the public, County Board members, local professionals and county and municipal staff. Students explained the design elements that made their projects sustainable, including renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines and water conservation elements using native plant landscaping, rain barrels and green infrastructure for stormwater management. SCARCE Founder and Executive Director Kay McKeen credits the popularity of this year’s event to schools advancing science, technology, math and engineering (STEM) education.

A group of Addison Trail students presented about a building they built with sustainable design features. Those students are seniors Daniela Diaz Vazquez, Susana Silva, Angelene Ori and Cristal Sanchez. The team’s building included ideas such as stations for electric car recharge, energy efficient lighting, building placement for heating/cooling, pavement with openings to eliminate water runoff, rain gardens and energy efficient appliances. The students based those concepts on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) initiative.

Participants also toured sustainable practices throughout DuPage County’s campus, including a green roof, a rain garden and a restored wetland, as well as several features that promote sustainability within the DuPage County Health Department’s Community Center.

For more information about the Sustainable Design Challenge, go to www.scarceecoed.org/environmental-education/special-projects/sustainability-challenge.