Both year levels made ‘Solar Buddy’ lights that will be sent to Papua New Guinea, while Year 8 students were also challenged to design and make a creative, durable chair out of newspaper and masking tape alone.

The program began with an immersive visual light show, and explored the interconnections between light, arts, technology, and the global community. Mr Jonathan Tickner spoke with the students of his connection to Papua New Guinea and highlighted how something as simple as a solar light would make such a human impact.

Using the ‘Solar Buddy’ kits, students assembled small, solar lights that will be sent to Papua New Guinea. These simple lights will allow children in Papua New Guinea who are experiencing light poverty to study when the sun goes down, improving educational and community health outcomes. The solar lights are also accompanied by a letter from each of our students to the recipient of the light.

Year 8 were challenged further as design thinkers to make a chair from two simple materials: newspaper and masking tape. Over the course of two periods, students designed, problem solved, and constructed a chair that was creative and durable. Chairs were put to the test, seeing which group’s chair could withstand the most books while maintaining its structural integrity.

All Year 8 and 9 students are congratulated on their efforts, particularly with the creation of solar lights that will make a difference to our wider global community.

You can find out more about the Solar Buddy program by heading to: https://solarbuddy.org/

Pia Salvatore - Teacher