Kwaleen Tradition Elementary School is up for the chance to win $500 during Science World’s B.C. Green Games third annual Viewer’s Choice awards.
Until March 31, British Columbians are encouraged to go online and vote for their favourite environmental stewardship project and support their schools.
In School District 27 Kwaleen Traditional Elementary School is the only school to enter the contest.
It has done so with a story and pictures about its garden and tree-planting projects held at the school last year.
Last spring students planted 150 coniferous trees on the school grounds.
They also started vegetable and sunflower plants in their classrooms from seed during the winter, which they planted in the school’s outdoor garden in late May.
Teams of parents and students took turns watering the garden and trees over the summer.
Some of the harvest was used to supplement student lunches. The rest of the harvest was used for student/family dinners. The students enjoyed many delicious organic dishes.
Principal John Silkston says students in grades 3 to 7 are involved in the school’s Green Team but all students are involved in the projects in some way.
He says the projects are a great way to teach children about environmental stewardship in a hands-on way that they really enjoy.
This year he says they plan to expand the garden project and plant more shrubs and trees. The later project will include learning to identify shrubs and trees and what conditions they thrive in.
Science World manages B.C. Green Games with input from youth, government, school district, university, science and environmental education community partners.
Projects are adjudicated by a team of judges from across B.C. that includes teachers, scientists, government members and business leaders.
There is also input for the Viewer’s Choice awards received through a public voting period that runs from March 1 to 31, and all projects can be viewed at www.bcgreengames.ca.
“We’re thrilled with the inspiring projects submitted by students from all across B.C.,” says Pauline Finn, the vice president of community engagement for Science World.
“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.”
Presenting sponsors are BC Hydro and FortisBC, with additional support from the Province of BC through the Ministry of Education.