The Wrybill Trophy for the top Canterbury science fair project, as judged by Environment Canterbury, was presented today to a Timaru teenager - Samantha Olley, of Craighead Diocesan.

The top junior and senior Environment Canterbury winners at the Christchurch and Timaru science and technology fairs are eligible for the Wrybill award. Three of the finalists presented to councillors at a workshop in Christchurch today.

The judge, Dr Grant McKenzie, of Lincoln University, said he was impressed at the excellence show by Samantha, 14, who explored an environmental issue and came up with a workable solution.

Samantha’s project “Green Roofs are Good” was inspired by finding out that her aunt in the Faroe Islands, governed by Denmark, between Scotland and Iceland, had a house with a turf roof.

“Green roofs are quite traditional there and I was curious to find out why. I found out that some of the benefits are better heat and sound insulation and stormwater retention.”

Samantha would like to see greater community awareness of the advantages of green roofs and would also be keen to see more construction companies prepared to install them.

For further information: Sian Carvell, Environment Canterbury Educator 03 353 9736 or 027 678 9722 or Dr Grant McKenzie 03 321 8399 or 021 0427 514.