Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Near North District School Board students had their building skills and imagination put to the test by the North Bay Society of Architects (NBSA) for this year’s Climate Change Challenge. The challenge set out by NBSA was to create a shelter for their “3 little Northern Ontario pigs” to withstand one of three climate change impacts. Students at Northern, Almaguin Highlands, West Ferris and F.J. McElligott Secondary Schools, as well as Sunset Park, Vincent Massey and Mattawa Public elementary schools all participated. The students’ task was to research, plan, design, prepare drawings, create a written narrative and construct a shelter to withstand fire, water or wind. Groups were given kits containing biodegradable construction materials and an assigned climate change impact. Students were also expected to collect recycled cardboard from home to add to the projects.
Marcus Wheeler of Bertrand Wheeler Architects said, “We're here to introduce the kids to the concepts of architecture and construction and building through a program using the analogy of the three little pigs to talk about the elements of the atmosphere, such as fire, wind and water.
“For years, we've been trying to promote architecture, and some of the other professional sciences like engineering and software design,” Wheeler said. “We felt the profession was underrepresented in schools, and we would love to see more people interested in architecture as a path forward.”
Sunset Park students Spencer and Carter created a structure to resist flood.
“Well, first, we've added a slanted roof so that if the water comes down, it'll just slide right off,” Carter said. “We've also added some overhang on the bottom, so that it'll float easier, and we've also added some covered paper towel to help it float,” Spencer added. “I think it's really cool.”
Sunset Park Public School Grade 5-6 teacher Zacharie St. Louis said, “The kids are really engaged. They're using all their skills to figure out how to make this work. And they're using recyclable materials from home and some from the school.”
“I'm hoping that they can consolidate some of their skills that they've been learning in science and math,” St. Louis said. “Hopefully that peaks an interest for some future architects as well.”
NBSA is holding Climate Change Challenge events for other area school boards and will announce the winners soon.
