DIGITAL LIBRARY
SUSTAINABILITY IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND TETRA-HOUSE PROJECT
Universidad Veracruzana (MEXICO)
About this paper:
Appears in: ICERI2012 Proceedings
Publication year: 2012
Pages: 2119-2124
ISBN: 978-84-616-0763-1
ISSN: 2340-1095
Conference name: 5th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
Dates: 19-21 November, 2012
Location: Madrid, Spain
Abstract:
In order to implement actions to strengthen the sustainable dimension in teaching and research, It has been linked and inserted The Tetra-House Project into the teaching practice.
Within the diversity of waste that we generate as consumer society It has been called tetra brik packaging, better known as Tetra Pak, which is used for the preservation of foods such as milk, juices, and sauces mainly. This container is being part of any of the methods of waste disposal and It causes environmental problems, because it is composed not only of cardboard, but also aluminum and polyethylene. The combination of these materials used for preserving food, also has thermal properties and insulators. They are giving great results in the upholstery of wooden houses built in Veracruz mountains communities. This people suffer the ravages of extreme cold and rain, which have increased due to climate change that our actions have caused. As a result of that, It has generated not only environmental and socio – economic problems but also health problems.
The Tetra-House project linked to teaching practice consist of educate the university community of the Engineering Faculty, means students, professors and society in general, to be able to separate the Tetra- Pack containers in clean and adequate spaces and then going to communities in extreme poverty and upholster their homes, as a result of that, their life’s quality is improved. This thermical material use to increase the temperature by several degrees within them in winter and keep cool in summer. In addition of that, Tetra-Pack containers also improve the physical appearance of the dwelling. Regarding the environment, It has obtained the benefit of finding other uses for this material, preventing it from becoming a hazardous waste. In addition to these actions, this project prepares dentistry students to promote oral health in these communities, due to they have found serious problems in this area, and while their homes are carpeted, this people is receiving attention to their dental health problems.

Thus, there has been a great team work in this project which is formed by students, teachers and society in general, the acquisition in students attitudes aimed at sustainable development and value of social attitudes, motivated by the satisfaction reinforce his fellow, while benefiting the environment.
Objectives:
Encourage the university community waste separation habits in reusing environmental benefit in improving quality of life in rural communities.
Improving oral health and general community through the implementation of preventive actions.

Results:
68 houses in 5 different communities upholstered.
49 fluorine prophylaxis and applications,
Preventive dentistry workshops, 55 people.
Dissemination of the project and active and enthusiastic participation in society
Keywords:
Tetra-house Project, Sustainability, Vocational..