A sustainable bus shelter using solar energy to power services for commuters has been one of many inventive concepts produced by students at the Blacktown Big Ideas - Environment Challenge.
More than 170 high school students from schools across Blacktown City devised solutions to curb the effect of urban heat as part of the Blacktown City Council program at Bowman Hall this month.
University experts explained how sustainable design can limit heat effects, before students worked in teams and devised solutions.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting spoke to students about the need for innovative ideas to combat the increasing challenge of urban heat.
"Our young people will be the next generation of home owners in Blacktown City and directly affected by urban heat," he said.
"But the bright ideas and enthusiasm I saw among the students gives me hope that we can create a cooler, sustainable future for our community."
The solar powered bus shelter idea most impressed judges and was devised by four students from St John Paul II Catholic College.
In their pitch, the team outlined how a solar powered shelter could provide services to waiting commuters, have plants and greenery for shade, and collect rainwater.
Teams at the Challenge used Lego to model solutions, sketched on paper, and drafted designs on laptops.
Finalists took to the stage and pitched their ideas to judges.
Students from the following schools participated: Blacktown Boys High School, Chifley College Bidwill Campus, Doonside Technology High School, Nagle College, St John XXIII Catholic College, St John Paul II Catholic College and Tyndale Christian School.
This was the fourth year of the Blacktown Big Ideas - Environment Challenge.
Council and education group Future Anything ran the event to foster awareness, understanding and innovative thinking about climate change and urban design among young people.
Council is playing its part in curbing the impact of urban heat through a number of forward-thinking programs.
This includes its award-winning multi-disciplinary study 'The Risk of Not Planting Trees Along our Streets', increased tree planting and use of canopy for shade, and advocating for lighter coloured rooves to reflect heat.
