Kortright Hills Public School is among five schools across Canada to win a video challenge that promotes energy conservation.
The team Water Rockers from Kortright participated in the Classroom Energy Diet Challenge, a joint initiative supported by Canadian Geographic and Shell Canada that saw over 550 classrooms participate in 17 challenges related to energy conservation for prizes totalling $45,000.
Wearing masks and holding up signs, Kortright students were seen sharing the environmental, financial and health benefits of using a reusable water bottle in their video which received 25,531 votes and won $1,500.
The program was created to inspire students in elementary and secondary schools across Canada to conserve energy. The challenge helped them learn how to calculate their carbon footprint, how to find phantom power sources and look at energy consumption associated with food production.
“We are incredibly proud of all the teachers and students who have participated in this year’s Classroom Energy Diet Challenge and who have made it such a success,” said Gilles Gagnier, Chief Operating Officer and Publisher of Canadian Geographic.
“This program may start in the classroom, but the skills and knowledge that students take from these challenges are ones that will lead them to be more energy-aware in their everyday lives.”
All the winners are listed below:
Video challenge winners:
Top Elementary: Water Rockers, Kortright Hills Public School, Guelph, Ont.
Top Secondary: The Gucci GANG, École secondaire publique Odyssée, North Bay, Ont.
Best Call to Action: Gillis Green Team, Cresthaven Public School, Toronto, Ont.
Most Unique: Kindergarten Eco Experts, Cresthaven Public School, Toronto, Ont.
Most Public Engagement: Grade 1 Unicorn Team, St. Theresa Catholic School, Orleans, Ont.
Energy Educator of the Year Award:
Elementary: Lia Ciarallo, Kingsdale Academy, Pierrefonds, Que.
Secondary: Rhiannon Weismiller, E-Learning Day School, TDSB, Toronto, Ont.
17 point challenge winner: Eco-Freakos, La Salle School, La Salle MB
Students completed challenges like the “One Hour No Power” challenge where they would turn off devices to understand the importance of reducing energy consumption.
Classrooms across Canada were able to conserve 118,468 litres of water and go 3,273 hours without power. They also kept 25,944 items out of landfills over the course of this year’s competition.
“Congratulations to the students and teachers who participated in this year’s challenge from their classrooms and through virtual learning,” said Susannah Pierce, president of Shell Canada.
“The creativity shown by teachers, students and parents, despite trying circumstances, can serve as inspiration for the sustainable energy choices each of us can make in our daily lives.”
