Schools compete in zoo fair
Every year students “bust their brains” trying to come up with an impressive presentation that’s sure to blow away the judges of that annual environmental science fair at the Belize Zoo. Competition was friendly but fierce between schools from all over the country last week. This year themes ranged from the traditional “save the rainforest” to solid waste disposal, One group got down and dirty explaining composting. News Five’s Jacqueline Woods was at the Zoo for the competition.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Twelve primary schools took part in the 9th Environmental Science Fair at the Belize Zoo. Annually schools are asked to put out displays that highlight environmental issues affecting the country.
Francis Baizar, General Manager, Government primary schools
“Well I hope the children will take away from here today the importance of the protection of the environment. What happens is that human beings, plants and animals coexist in our natural surroundings and any change that happens affects each one of us. So that is a positive message I want them to take away from here today and care for the environment.”
While the children do get a day to spend outside of the classroom and meet new friends, the boys and girls work hard to put out a good show. The fair is a competitive one as each display is judged.
Celso Pott, Education Director, Belize Zoo
“Schools will be judge on the size of their display, the relevance to the environmental science, neatness and the ability for the student to present the material to the judged.”
The Standard 5 children of San Narciso Roman Catholic School in Orange Walk demonstrated the problems caused by irresponsible solid waste disposal.
Asiel Dominguez, 11 years old
“The display that we have, we find this problem in our school because all paper, solid waste were thrown all over the school compound.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And what happens when we don’t keep the place clean?”
Asiel Dominguez
“It gives a bad look and from there you get some bad diseases.”
The students showed how you can take discarded materials and turn them into beautiful works of art.
The Grace Primary School students demonstrated how you can easily make a water heater through composting to save the environment, money and time. Twelve-year-old Felecia Williams who told us how the heater is made said in some rural areas the method is being used.
Felecia Williams, 12 years old
“To make the heater we use a series of twisted pipes. We twisted them; we put on an inflow and outflow valve for the water. We got a box, we put sea bread on the inside then we placed grass at the bottom. And then on top of the grass we put the heater pipes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“The copper tubing?”
Felicia Williams
“Yes, we put more grass on top of that and then we close the box tightly. We pour some water in it and then we had to wait until the grass start to decomposing when it starts to decompose it generates heat, which heats the pies which heats the water inside the pipes and when you turn on the faucet you get hot water.”
Saving the rainforest was the theme for the students of Louisiana Government School in Orange Walk. 13 year old Vicky Quetzal told us why we should save the rainforest.
Vicky Quetzal, 13 years old
“Tourists can come here and our country can build up and we have a lot of medicine plants here in Belize. We need to take advantage of that to save more lives in the medical field.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And how can we save the rainforest?”
Vicky Quetzal
“By well right now we have about 70% of the rainforest intact and only 36% is protected, if we can have all 70% protected then we can have all our rainforest intact.”
At the end of the day, San Narciso captured first prize and walked off with a computer that was donated by the British High Commission. Meanwhile the students of Louisiana and Grace primary schools walked off with the second and third prizes respectively.