By Brendan Rees
A new project at Tooradin Primary School is teaching good water-saving habits.
Students were proud to unveil their own Pedal Powered Pumping System on Thursday 19 October that pumps water from the school’s water tanks to their garden by using sustainable energy in the form of pedal power.
Tooradin Primary School wellbeing co-ordinator Rachel Davis said the project was made possible through an environmental grant from City of Casey and working closely with an engineering team from Trisled – designers of Human Powered Vehicles.
Students were joined by City of Casey’s Environmental Projects officer David Westlake and Ben Goodall from Trisled in cutting the ribbon for the celebratory launch.
“Students designed a variety of options in line with a brief for a pedal powered device that would pump water from rain water tanks to the schools much valued kitchen garden,” she said,
Ms Davis said students drafted and submitted their concept designs for a water pumping device using a bicycle to power the operation, which extended their learning about alternative energy sources.
“It was decided to use a design similar to our recumbent racing vehicles as this would also fit in with Tooradin Primary’s exciting HPV racing program.”
She said the school partnered with Trisled, the creators of inspiring Human Powered Vehicles (HPV) to engineer a pumping system that would effectively move water from the water tanks to the garden by using sustainable energy.
She said Trisled brought the student designs to an “exciting reality”.
“Local business Tank You Water Tanks supported the project with a tank and plumbing to naturally capture rain water from the school shed to complete this innovative project.
“Tooradin Primary School has had a long held commitment to Sustainability and the Environment and the development and construction of our Pedal Powered Pumping System allowed students to learn about another form of energy production.”
Ms Davis said students had been learning about water pressure and pumping rates and the school’s HPV Racing Team were enjoying a new method of training leading up to major racing events.
“Students are now starting to consider other applications for pedal powered projects and with enough imagination, inspiration and team work they may come up with more exciting and sustainable creations in the future.”
