The North Bay Society of Architects reached out to the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC) and the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) with a unique idea for a student project – construct a model of a home that can withstand the effects of climate change.

They dubbed the project the Climate Change Challenge, and students worked in small groups with each group receiving a different challenge to overcome with their model houses. Protect the home against fire, floods, and rising winds were the three options. Students had a day to plan out some design concepts – some created houseboats, to deal with floods – and then the glue guns came out and the construction began.

“When this came as an opportunity for us, we embraced it,” explained Lisa Spencer, the secondary program co-ordinator for the Near North District School Board. “We’re always looking for ways to enrich the curriculum with experiential learning activities.”

Students at St. Luke Catholic Elementary School, Holy Cross Catholic Elementary, St. Theresa Catholic Elementary, and West Ferris Secondary School took part.