Pupils have designs on a more sustainable future

Some of the pupils at the Making Circles launch, with some of their sustainable goods. (Photo: Colin Hattersley)

Youngsters from St Vincent’s Primary in Thornliebank and Cuthbertson Primary in Govanhill were among 100 children who gathered at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for the launch of a special display about their work on waste-free products for a sustainable world.

The pupils have been taking part in Making Circles, a project where they engaged with professional designers to come up with imaginative concepts and prototypes for sustainable goods.

Ideas included a wallet made from inner tubes of tyres and goggles with a mini wind turbine that powered a light to help see in the dark.

There were also a variety of bags including a backpack with a solar phone charger, one with straps to adapt to the growth of a child, and another that could be given a variety of looks to suit different uses and occasions.

Mary Michel, of Ostrero, which is behind Making Circles, said:“Young people need to be empowered to change the world in a positive way – so they have the knowledge and skills to design and create sustainable products.

“That’s why we wanted them to work with professional designers and makers and to have good-quality materials. They found the idea of transforming waste into high-value goods quite inspirational.

“The ideas they came up with were wonderful. Some, like the backpack with a solar panel for phone charging, were very practical. Others were a bit more ‘out there’ like a trampoline for gerbils to generate renewable energy.”

• The Making Circles display is in the Learning Centre at the National Museum of Scotland July 31.