Burnett secondary students' eco-friendly initiatives won them a cool $1,000.
The Green Team, as the students dub themselves, took part in the third annual B.C. Green Games, a Science World province-wide contest that rewards students' eco-actions.
"J.N. Burnett's student action project was successful because it demonstrated an action plan, showed community involvement and capacity building and was a creative and engaging presentation," said Pauline Finn, vice president of community outreach with Science world. "J.N. Burnett students have been very busy making their school more green."
This year marked the third year for the conest, which is sponsored by Telus World of Science, B.C. Hydro and Terasen Gas.
"One of the most rewarding parts of organizing the B.C. Green Games is seeing how passionate and creative the students are," Finn said. "It doesn't matter what size a school is, or how remote their community is, we've had submissions and winners from all over the province with projects that are significant for their own community."
Students, with the help of their teachers, document their actions and measure changes in behavior of the community as a result of these actions.
In fact, said Terri Farnden, Grade 11 and 12 biology teacher in charge of the project at Burnett, all 72 members of the Green Team assist with sorting recycling, cleaning up local shoreline, composting and raising awareness of green issues.
"A sub committee of 15 students worked on the B.C. Green Games project," said Farnden. "Last November, they submitted their project, which consisted of a three minute video documenting their green initiatives. All the students were very passionate and very keen about the project ... they were pretty much self regulated and run."
The $1,000 win is going towards building a raised bed garden and involving the community in the gardening process, more specifically added Farnde, the Terra Nova Schoolyard Society.
BC Green Games received 139 entries from 39 school districts across the province.
"We continue to be inspired by the students who participate in BC Green Games," said Finn. "They show us all what can be accomplished when you not only talk about being eco-conscious, but take action to be green."
Meanwhile, honourable mention went to McMath secondary.
For more information about B.C. Green Games or to view Burnett's winning project, visit www.bcgreengames.ca.
