Would you like to help Mamquam Elementary School win $500 and celebrate students' green projects?
Until Monday (March 15), residents are encouraged to go online and vote for the Viewer's Choice Awards in BC Green Games.
Mamquam Elementary School's anti-idling project may stand out for many since it resulted in an 88 per cent reduction in idling at their school.
The students ran the campaign from Feb. 1 to 12 with the use of banners, pamphlets, articles for the school newsletter and daily announcements.
"It was very much a student lead initiative," said Mamquam vice principal Karen Saenger. "The anti-idling project was an extra-curricular activity. The students met before and after school to work on the project."
It's the second year of this province-wide eco-action contest from Science World.
The contest, with over $20,000 in prizes to be awarded to B.C. schools, celebrates and shares eco-actions from B.C.'s students.
"We're thrilled with the inspiring projects submitted by students from all across B.C.," said Pauline Finn, the vice president of community engagement for Science World, which is heading the contest.
"It will be a tough decision for viewers to pick their favourites amongst the videos, PowerPoint presentations and other digital media projects. B.C.'s students are proving they not only think green, they act green."
Projects are submitted using creative media such as videos or photo-essays.
Mamquam was able to accomplish the multi-media approach thanks to one teacher's initiative.
Kelly Jensen had submitted a successful Technology in Education proposal to Apple, according to Saenger.
As a result, she received a mobile computer lab, consisting of 10 laptops, to use in her classroom for a month. Hence the students learned how to create storyboards and produce videos in class. They then applied these skills to produce their video submission to the BC Green Games.
The Viewer's Choice Awards will see four $500 prizes awarded - two to elementary schools and two to secondary schools.
Projects can be viewed at www.bcgreengames.ca.
"The hope is that students and teachers will also use the website as a resource for ideas to create a greener future in their own communities," according to a Green Games press release.
A team of judges from across B.C. that includes teachers, scientists, government members and business leaders will decide on another 20 winning projects.
Science World manages BC Green Games with input from government, school district, university, science and environmental education community partners. Presenting sponsors are BC Hydro and Terasen Gas.
"Education and awareness are key to creating a conservation culture in B.C.," said Larina Lopez, the senior manager of community investment, outreach and education at BC Hydro. "BC Hydro is pleased to support BC Green Games and encourage youth to take leadership in sustainability and build a conservation ethic."
"For Terasen, supporting a culture of energy efficiency and conservation through learning opportunities like BC Green Games is a natural choice," said Sarah Smith, the manager of marketing and energy efficiency at Terasen Gas. "BC Green Games challenges students and educates them on how they can make a difference-at home and in their community."
