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KT Photos: Rahul Gajjar
Students aged six and up showed their creativity and teamwork by creating giant animal sculptures made entirely from recyclable materials as part of the largest 3D Sustainable Model Competition at Dubai Safari Park on Thursday.
Twenty-six local schools and 500 students participated in this ongoing initiative to promote sustainability, demonstrating a collective commitment to environmental awareness.
Second grade students from Dubai Schools Al Barsha dedicated two weeks to their project, collecting bottles from home and in the school yard to create a giant elephant from bottles. “We chose the elephant because it is a huge animal that we all love. It is also endangered and we wanted to show how important it is to protect it,” said one of the young people. Another classmate, Omar, added, “We had so much fun doing it together. It felt like a big adventure!”
The competition aimed to raise awareness about environmental issues while encouraging creativity among the younger generation. Schools were tasked with building the largest animal sculpture using only recyclable materials, promoting a spirit of innovation and teamwork. This initiative not only highlighted the students’ artistic talents, but also their ability to think critically about sustainability.
On the other hand, students from Dubai National School Al Barsha tackled their project in just four days. “We used materials that the school no longer wanted, such as broken laptops and other items,” said one of the Year 5 students. The sculpture they created, an eagle, symbolized strength and resilience and reflected the UAE’s ambitions for the future.
NA311024-DUBAI SAFARIStudents from Dubai National School-Al Barsha with their project, during the awards ceremony of Dubai Safari Park’s largest 3D Sustainable Model Competition on October 31, 2024. Photo: Rahul Gajjar
“We wanted to show how strong the eagle is and how it represents the UAE,” says Ahmed. The students creatively reused old electronics, including keyboards and TV parts, demonstrating that discarded items can be given new life through art. “It was amazing to see how we could turn waste into something beautiful,” she added.
The Philippine School in Dubai also made a big impact with their project. A diverse team of students worked together to create a large falcon from bottles, bottle caps, newspapers and plastic spoons, which were creatively painted with coffee. “The most challenging part was gathering the materials and then putting everything together,” says Gabriel Ricardo De Vera, one of the team members.
“Sometimes we didn’t have enough, so we had to be very creative.” Another student, Sofiel Rose Flores, noted, “Working together was the best part. We cheered each other on every day!” Their combined efforts earned them third place in the competition, highlighting the importance of teamwork and perseverance.
KT Photos: Rahul Gajjar
Ahmad Al Zarouni, Director of Public Parks and Recreation Facilities at Dubai Municipality, expressed his pride in the initiative, saying: “We at Dubai Municipality and Dubai Safari Park are committed to being a sustainable, eco-tourism destination. This competition spreads environmental awareness and instills an educational spirit among students.”
Stressing the importance of the event, he noted: “What we have seen today indicates great awareness among students. It is encouraging to see so much enthusiasm for sustainability and creativity.” Al Zarouni added: “This event is not just about competition; it is about nurturing a generation that cares for our planet.”
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Waad Barakat
Waad Barakat is a special correspondent covering security topics from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to combine it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.