St Joseph's Nudgee College

October 13, 2008

Eight Year 10 students are attempting to solve two of St Joseph's Nudgee College's most challenging problems - saving power and water and graffiti at Nudgee.

The projects form a major part of Nudgee College's Year 10 Personal Enrichment subject but also have a competitive side with both teams competing in the National Future Problem Solvers Program.

The Program, which challenges bright, motivated youngsters to use their imagination in applying learned information and advance thinking strategies, will hold its national finals in Melbourne later this month and the graffiti at Nudgee group will be there.

"The boys had to submit a qualifying report in July which is how the judges selected the finalists, said Head of Enrichment Stella Chan.

"Both teams then submitted preliminary reports in September for feedback and to contribute to the finals score. As a result of these reports, the graffiti at Nudgee group has been invited to the national finals in Melbourne."

The team of Alex Holloway, Bren Moushall, Michael Potts and Jaiah Rains decided to look at graffiti as they are all familiar with the subject and had an interest in it.

"We started out by making a list of topics that we were interested in and finally decided we'd look at graffiti in the Nudgee community," they said.

"We didn't really know how much there was to it when we started but we would have still chosen it even if we had known."

The group has interviewed members of staff about the issue and has had a positive response from groups outside the Nudgee community such as the Brisbane City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council and local police.

As well as continuing their research and getting their booth display ready for the final in Melbourne, the group is also working on a mural that will be placed in the Nudgee College library.

"Mr Leddie said that one of the reasons people do graffiti is because they don't have a connection to a building or object and therefore don't respect it. We're hoping that by putting a mural in the library we can instil some school spirit by giving everyone an insight in Nudgee College which will help to increase respect."

The water and power saving group of Liam Greinke, Nick Kelly, Jake Richardson and Tom Van Kalken didn't make the national final but have still come up with some amazing ways to save power and water.

"We chose water and power saving in the Nudgee community because it is a global issue and we thought the best way to change that is to make a difference locally," they said.

The group has already placed signs above light switches and sinks in classrooms and toilets throughout the College reminding people to turn off lights and taps when they leave the room. The group is also planning on doing a similar sign for air conditioners before the arrival of summer.

"We are still waiting on the power bill to come through which will show how much power has been saved but we do know that there has been a big drop in the number of lights being left on in Purton at night since the signs were installed," they said.

The boys said they have had a positive response from teachers and students to their ideas and have approached the Brisbane City Council to see about getting 4 minute timers to be placed in the boarders showers.

"Our goal is to raise awareness of the need to save power and water, not only in the Nudgee community but in society as a whole. It is really a lifestyle choice and it is up to each individual to make a difference," they said.

Regardless of the result of the upcoming final, Ms Chan said that both teams deserve congratulations for their efforts and are looking forward to displaying their work at the Enrichment Expo on November 11.

"The boys have worked really hard on their projects and have done a fantastic job. They've researched their topics and have come up with some truly ingenious ways to make a difference," she said.