Articles

Article 11-14 yrs 1st place National Winner: Sliema – where has the “peace” gone?!

submitted by Sliema St. Joseph School : Caroline Vassallo, Marta Cachia  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

Our school is located in the heart of Sliema. Over the past years, our journey towards school has always ended with a peaceful, picturesque ride by the Sliema coastline. The situation has, however, changed drastically over the past year. This change has been mainly brought about by the extensive construction and road works being carried out. These works lead to a variety of problems: traffic congestion, potholes and broken pavements, lack of parking, noise pollution and air pollution. The dust particles in the air have also affected the pH value of rain water, making it alkaline. Among our proposals, we think that only a limited number of permits for construction should be approved at one time and there should be prompt resurfacing of roads. Sliema residents deserve peace and tranquillity in their day to day lives.



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Article 11-14 yrs 2nd place National Winner: A healthy environment means a healthy generation!

submitted by ST. Margaret College Girls' Secondary School Zejtun : Cherise Grech, Graziella Chetcuti, Megan Galea, Paula Gambin, Shannon Pace  for 11-14
dissemination(s): Dissemination during school assemblies, newspaper, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles

Right now, the topic of nitrate leaching is a very widely-discussed topic throughout the world, including in Malta. A group of students investigated the amount of nitrates leached by three different types of fertilizers in two different types of soil. Water soluble fertilizer, fertilizer pellets and cow manure were used because we wanted to study a variety of natural and artificial fertilizers. Loam and clay soils were used as these soils are quite common in Malta. This article summaries the findings of this study.



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Article 11-14 yrs 3rd place National Winner: Cave Save

submitted by ST. Margaret College Girls' Secondary School Zejtun : Celine Camilleri  for 11-14
dissemination(s): Dissemination during school assemblies, newspaper, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles

This article is about Għar Lapsi, a cave which has lately collapsed. The author discusses a number of remedies that can be put into practice in order avoid other parts of this natural beauty from falling down. The advantages and disadvantages of each possible solution are examined.



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Article 15-18 yrs 1st place National Winner: Are there pockets in a shroud?

submitted by San Anton School : Georgie Zahra, Nicholas Attard  for 15-18
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

Ramla Valley is one of the most fertile areas in the North of Gozo. Feeding this valley is a fresh water stream that has irrigated the terraced fields for centuries. On top of this valley an area, of once unspoilt beauty has been ravaged to build a cemetery for the nearby village of Nadur. This monstrosity is negatively affecting the environment both visually and also affecting the fresh water stream that feeds the fertile land below. Ironically the permit for this structure was given the go-ahead on World Environment Day. The farmers working this land did not leave one stone unturned to lay bare all the irregularities that took place- both regarding the permit and in the construction of the graves. A group of young environmentalists crossed the channel to meet the farmer representng the rest of the farmers, and discover first hand what is actually going on.



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Article 15-18 yrs 1st place National Winner: Geographical Investigation contributes to reduction of School’s Carbon Footprint

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Vassallo Hertian  for 15-18
dissemination(s): newspaper, Presentation seminar 'Water..we cannot do without' organised as Follow Up for Global Education Week 2011; DVD Global Education Week 2011 for participating schools and GEW European network; Annual DVD , school magazine
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During this scholastic year we, a group of students interested in Geography, carried out a water audit at school and thanks to our investigation the system of using the second class water of the main reservoir for secondary uses has during the last week of March 2012 started functioning. Before major restructuring works were carried out at our school the GeoClub members of 2006 presented this suggestion but the system was never connected.



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Article 15-18 yrs 3rd place National Winner: The Malicious Monster

submitted by Junior College : Rebecca Mercieca  for 15-18
dissemination(s): other, This is the first time I am reporting it.
filed under Articles

I have investigated an incident which happened in the Month of March 2012 at the Pembroke Rocky Coast.



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The tragedy of Fort Park

submitted by ST. Margaret College Girls' Secondary School Zejtun : Nicole Buttigieg  for 11-14
dissemination(s): Dissemination during school assemblies, newspaper, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles

This article is about a Fort Park, a park situated in Xgħajra Malta. The park is in a shocking state even though a lot of historical sites are present in the area. The author discusses with the major what is being done and what can be done to make the park more attractive thus can be visited more often by Maltese citizens and tourists.



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Rubbish here, rubbish there, rubbish everywhere

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Damien Calleja  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

A green-area called “Sur San Pawl”, in the locality of Cospicua is being continuously vandalised and serving as a rubbish dumping zone. The waste thrown in this area is of detriment to those who visit this place risking infections and maladies. Having reported this dumping zone to the Local Council, I’ve been informed that actions have been already taken in this regard for these last three years. The local authorities did various attempts to evoke the awareness of the minister in charge as this area belongs to the government. However, the local authorities admitted that just two weeks ago they’ve organized a clean up in this area but rubbish kept on accumulating. I personally suggested the installation of cameras to enforce the law and guarantee a cleaner and safer environment. More rubbish bins can be available and more light can be added during the night to safeguard this area.



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Children playing in Pollution!

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Deemer Bilocca  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

This playing-area is situated just besides a very central busy road in the locality of Zabbar. It is crowded by many parents and children everyday especially after school hours. Unfortunately, a bus stop is situated near this playground resulting in lots of poisonous emissions. Following my personal investigation, about 33 cars pass by this area every two minutes in the afternoon. People living within 500 metres of a motorway grow up with significantly reduced lung capacity, and even children who have never experienced asthma are at risk, scientists warn. After contacting the Local Council, I’ve suggested more awareness by introducing pollution signs, shifting the bus stop shelter just up the road so to reduce emissions effects and planting more trees in the area to guarantee fresher air. Though unsuccessful to convince the local authorities, I will not stop suggesting a better solution for the local people of my locality.



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Car scrap violating nature

submitted by St. Margaret College Boys Secondary Verdala : Fabrizio Testa  for 11-14
dissemination(s): school media
filed under Articles

This car scrap lies on a green-soft area in the locality of Zabbar for these last two months. The car is out of repair and full of metal rust and it’s creating a scrap yard. Such material does not degrade and only benefit the environment if it’s recycled properly. This car scrap is full of contaminants that are toxic and have negative environmental effects. Oil, batteries, engine and transmission fluids, degreasers, gasoline and antifreeze are highly toxic and corrosive, even in small quantities. After contacting the Local Council in this regard I was assured that immediate actions will be taken to remove the car scrap and clean up the area. I suggested a recycling process as particularly batteries and motor oil, are recyclable, so they can be processed to pose no long-term environmental risk. Clean up actions will surely allow more space for local flora and fauna to grow.



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