Pupils help design trap to ensure clean water

Alexandra youngsters are thinking outside the square.

Pupils at Alexandra Primary School have helped design a trap to stop any rubbish from blocking the school’s drains.

Their designs were taken to the next level by graphic designer Jonny Simpson who combined their various mock designs to create one model, using the school’s 3-D printer.

Mr Simpson, who has a child at the school, presented the prototype to the children this week.

It resembles a square basket that fits inside the drain to catch any rubbish.

Jonny Simpson (centre) puts a drain trap prototype to the test, while its inventors watch on. Among those who helped design the trap are (standing, from left) Stella Mackley (12), Josh Cannell (12), Rui Zhong (11) and Carter Holm (12); (kneeling, from left) Hamish Attfield (12), Sophie Avenell (12) Eve Sinnamon (11), Ruby Clark (11) and Tui Simpson (13). PHOTO: ALEXIA JOHNSTON

The steel grate sits on top.

The project was part of an Enviroschools water inquiry, which was supported by facilitator Anna Robinson and Alexandra Primary School teacher Rachel O’Connor.

Year 7 and 8 pupils spent the term looking at the science around water quality indicators and the health of waterways.

Part of their learning included the cycle of water, water quality testing, water flow, pH levels and clarity.

The final step was to examine the school’s drain system.

Pupils looked at what was going into them, including rubbish which had the potential to get into the underground water source.

That was when the children set to work to fix the problem and called on Mr Simpson for his help.

He sourced materials from Wastebusters and within a couple of weeks had a prototype to present to the children.