Grade 7 students reinvent new Kitchener suburb for class project
As Canada faces a housing crisis, grade 7 students in Kitchener have some ideas about how to tackle it.
Two classes at Groh Public School are planning alternate versions of a new suburb being built right by their school.
The students have some immediate things they’d like changed in their Doon South neighbourhood.
“The park that’s nearby here, it’s not really good anymore,” said grade 7 student Krish Patel.
“The boring parks in this neighbourhood – I’m not a big fan of, so I wanted to make something special and a wow factor basically,” said Tatiana Voros, another grade 7 student.
She’s given her suburb plan a signature piece for that reason.
“We’ve got a piano floor [at the park] and basically when kids would walk on different notes, it would play different music,” she said, showing her creation.
Grade 7 students at Groh Public School plan a new Kitchener suburb. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
Teachers Jennifer Schaefer and Jessica Neilson are impressed by what their students have accomplished.
“So they’ve been 3D printing, they’ve been coding, we have groups that have been able to light up their parks, make music,” said Neilson.
The project does go beyond community spaces, which does make it trickier.
“The biggest challenge is the idea that we’ve been talking a lot about – meeting the needs of a growing population. And the affordability factor, we’re talking about the housing crisis,” Schaefer said.
Students have been working with real-life constraints like cost, needs, the environment and affordability. They’ve been learning from developers, planners and architects at Activa, which is the builder behind the new suburb.
“I’ve learned a lot about affordability facts. Like how big of an issue it is to afford housing. Many people can’t afford it, they have to rent,” said grade 7 student Diya Sumesh.
Grade 7 students at Groh Public School plan a new Kitchener suburb. (Spencer Turcotte/CTV Kitchener)
So how have they kept their projects cost effective?
“We use many eco-friendly materials. They don’t require lot of energy of much water use and they’re really efficient and good for the environment,” said Sumesh.
It seems as though Activa is impressed with what they’ve seen from the students.
“We found when we had our talk on sustainability, the kids are really in tune with it. I think there’s definitely ideas that could be born into Activa ideas,” said CAO Geoff McMurdo.
It’s the students’ outside-the-box thinking that could truly change the developer’s building habits – a true sign of Groh students helping their community grow for the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post presents union with 'framework' to reach deal as strike continues
Canada Post says it has presented the union representing some 55,000 striking postal workers with a framework to reach negotiated agreements.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
The best tips to prepare your car for the winter
Slippery or snow-covered roads, reduced visibility and bitter cold are all conditions that can make driving difficult and even dangerous during cold weather months. CAA spoke with CTV Morning Live this week on some of the best ways you can winterize your car.
PM Trudeau 'surprised' provinces unanimous on accelerated defence spending: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his fellow provincial leaders are united in pushing for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets ahead of schedule, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was "surprised" to hear it.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares resigns as carmaker continues to struggle with slumping sales
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is stepping down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales.
Poilievre calls for asylum seeker cap, border plan as U.S. tariff threat looms
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has demanded the federal government present a plan before Parliament to beef up border security as U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to impose stiff tariffs on Canada.
'Wicked' star Marissa Bode speaks out against 'harmful' ableist comments made about her character
'Wicked' actress Marissa Bode posted a video on TikTok asking for kindness after receiving ableist comments on social media.
Emergency crews battle large fire at Kitchener, Ont. townhouse complex
Waterloo Regional Police say Kingsway Drive will remain closed as emergency crews continue to battle a large blaze at a townhouse complex.
One man dead after shooting at Kitchener's 'A Better Tent City'
One man is dead after an afternoon shooting at 49 Ardelt Ave. in Kitchener.