Lauren Hollands
22 December 2014: Master of Occupational Therapy students from the University of Canberra have re-used over 1,500 plastic bottles to build a greenhouse for an organisation that supports people with disability in Nowra, NSW.
The 33 first-year students were assigned the semester-long task of creating the greenhouse from start to finish, which meant all planning, collecting of materials, financial costs and physical construction was for them to organise.
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UC students and locals from Nowra with the greenhouse they created for Slice of Life Australia. Photo supplied |
The frames of the greenhouse were assembled on campus and transported to Nowra on the back of a ute, along with 11 of the students who had the task of putting it all together. The greenhouse was completed in just one day in the community garden of not-for-profit organisation Slice of Life Australia, which supports young people with disability.
Occupational therapy student Emma Friend described the project and its challenges in the planning and construction stages as "very worthwhile".
"Taking the greenhouse to Nowra was an amazing experience. It was a long day with an early start but completing the assembly of the green house left us all feeling extremely satisfied and proud," Ms Friend said.
"There are many skills that we have gained from this project including team work, communication, planning and building skills," she added.
The students fundraised $1,000 to cover the material and transportation costs. Donating the greenhouse to SOLA meant it can remain a permanent part of their community garden and be used by SOLA members to grow they own vegetables.
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The group pictured with the roof of the structure, having used over 1,500 bottles to build the whole greenhouse. Photo supplied |
Associate professor in occupational therapy Alison Wicks said the project was designed to enable students to take part in "a new meaningful occupation with fellow students, adopt an occupational perspective and experience and reflect on themselves as occupational beings – to learn about the power of occupation".
"The project was all about doing something for others. In this project the students also learnt about the wonderful program that SOLA offers, and SOLA is ecstatic with their new greenhouse," Dr Wicks said.
