Ekoskola

EkoSkola aims to encourage students to take an active role in environmental decisionmaking and action in the classroom and in the community. During our 2 years here at Sir M.A. Refalo Sixth Form, we were part of the EkoSkola committee under the guidance of Ms. Stephanie Azzopardi. Various meetings took place where we discussed and came up with ideas for future projects for the advancement of our school. During this scholastic year, our institute became an official member of The GLOBE Program, an international science and educational programme. We worked on two projects focusing on tree observations and surface temperature in built-up areas. We planted a fig tree in the school garden to monitor leaf growth during spring following the Green Up Protocol. We also participated in the Urban Heat Island Effect Campaign during which we collected readings of the surface temperature of the yard near the canteen area. The data collected was then uploaded on GLOBE database to be used by scientists to better understand the effects of urbanisation on climate change. Another project we worked on as an EkoSkola team was that regarding sustainable transportation. We conducted a questionnaire and distributed it online to all students attending our institute. The aim was to find out which means of transport students mostly use to commute to school and see what could be done to promote viable transportation. The students also had the opportunity to suggest means by which we can improve our institute’s green footprint. Taking part in EkoSkola was a wonderful experience in itself. We learned new facts about our surrounding environment and were taught how to keep track of the changes happening around us. We strongly believe that environmental education is the essence for a mentality change in the Maltese islands towards environmental awareness and improvement. It has been an honour to be part of the EkoSkola group at sixth Form.

by Elisha Costa

I am a first-year student and during this scholastic year I was a member of the EkoSkola committee at M.A. Refalo Sixth Form. We organized several activities amongst which was a project regarding sustainable transportation. As a team we conducted a short questionnaire that was forwarded online (in March) to all students attending the Institute. In all, 134 students participated, of which 61.2% were females. Of all respondents, only four own a driving licence. The most common use of transport to commute to Sixth Form is public transport followed by the use of private cars. Furthermore, a number of students come on foot or carpool. Only two students cycle to school. Students were also asked to give a reason behind using the indicated mode of transport most frequently. Several students argued that they do so because it is comfortable, convenient, and easy to use. Some also mentioned that it is cheap and environmentally friendly. Several students argued that they do so because there is no other choice. When asked whether they take into consideration sustainable transportation, the majority with 62.7% agreed, whereas 29.1% responded ‘maybe’ and 11 students answered that they do not take into consideration sustainable transportation. In this questionnaire students were also given the option to suggest how our Institute could be more eco-friendly. They came out with several suggestions including the promotion of carpooling and public transport, the installation of recycle bins around the Institute, the organisation of transport to places where public transport is not convenient or else the amendment of the bus timetable. They also recommended more ecofriendly and sustainable options especially in the canteen, for example, the option of students bringing in their own food containers.