The Minister for Education, Heritage, Environment and Climate Change, Professor John Cortes, today visited the Discovery Fortress to receive a series of bird nests, bat boxes and insect hotels created by pupils of St Bernard’s Lower Primary School as part of a STEM Challenge initiative.

The project brought together science, technology, engineering and mathematics with environmental awareness, encouraging pupils to apply their creativity and practical skills to produce bird nest boxes, bat roost boxes and insect hotels that will contribute to local conservation efforts.

The Minister was particularly pleased to learn that the initiative extended beyond the classroom, with parents actively participating in the project and supporting pupils in the design and construction of the boxes. This collaborative approach strengthened the educational experience and further reinforced the connection between schools, families and the wider community.

The boxes will now be installed at various locations around Gibraltar by the Department of the Environment, where they will provide additional nesting opportunities for local bird species and contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance biodiversity and protect Gibraltar’s natural environment.

Professor Cortes congratulated the pupils, parents and teaching staff involved in the project and praised the initiative for successfully combining education, community engagement and environmental stewardship.

“The enthusiasm, ingenuity and commitment shown by the pupils has been truly inspiring. Projects such as this demonstrate how education can empower young people to make a meaningful contribution to the protection of our natural environment. I am also delighted that parents played such an active role, helping to make this a genuine community effort,” said Professor Cortes.

The Government of Gibraltar remains committed to supporting educational initiatives that promote environmental awareness and encourage young people to play an active role in conservation and sustainability.