Earth Today | St Hilda’s wins EcoSpark Innovation Challenge

THE ST Hilda’s Diocesan High School in Brown’s Town has walked away with $300,000 in winnings after topping the Nature-based Solutions category of the EcoSpark Innovation Challenge.

Their winning project, EcoDrain, impressed judges at the recent JPS Foundation Climate Action Expo with its practical, environmentally sustainable approach to addressing a persistent flooding problem on campus. The EcoSpark Innovation Challenge – a collaboration between the JPS Foundation and the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, through its Global Affairs Canada-funded Jamaica Urban Solutions for the Environment (J-USE) project - aims to empower young Jamaicans to develop creative responses to climate-related challenges.

St Hilda’s entry exemplified this vision, tackling a real and recurring flooding issue along a heavily trafficked corridor adjacent to the female teachers’ restroom. For years, the corridor has been prone to water buildup during periods of heavy rainfall, disrupting movement, damaging flooring, and creating hygiene and safety concerns for students and staff.

Recognising both the urgency and the opportunity, the St Hilda’s team developed EcoDrain – a nature-based solution that integrates green infrastructure and water management techniques to reduce flooding and improve the overall school environment. At the heart of the project is the combination of a green roof, permeable pavement, and rainwater harvesting system.

The green roof, planted with ornamental vegetation, is designed to absorb rainwater, reduce heat, and slow water runoff. Beneath the surface, layered materials filter and store water, allowing it to be reused rather than wasted. Complementing this system is a permeable pavement along the corridor, which enables surface water to seep into the ground rather than accumulate and cause flooding. Together, these elements form a cohesive, eco-friendly system that replaces the need for traditional concrete drains with a more sustainable and visually appealing alternative.

“Honestly, I feel like we deserve this moment,” noted Shanakay Huie, facilitator of the St Hildas’ Energy Club, who guided the students’ development of the project.

“The team and I have been working very hard on this project. It’s a lot of hard work and dedication and I’m very grateful we emerged champions. These ladies worked tirelessly to get the project ready. We also had support from other members of the Energy Club and the wider school administration,” she added.

Meanwhile, J-USE Project Manager Joni Jackson underscored the significance of youth engagement in climate action, noting that initiatives such as the EcoSpark Innovation Challenge are critical to shaping the next generation of problem-solvers.

“By engaging them in real-world challenges and equipping them with the tools to develop solutions, we are fostering innovation and building resilience in our communities. Projects like EcoDrain show that young minds can drive meaningful change in the face of the climate crisis,” she said.