Standard students shine at competition

Times Contributor

 

Four young gentlemen from Standard School presented their proposal of Low Flow Showerheads to the panel of judges of Agrium’s Caring For Our Watersheds competition and came away with sixth place finish on May 1 at the Calgary Zoo.

Christopher Everett (Grade 7), Jestin Krap-Ross (Grade 8), Michael Kschesinski (Grade 8), and Christian Rousselle (Grade 8), with the help of their teacher, Tiffany Phillips, did their school proud, winning $150 for their group with a matching grant of $150 to the school.

The Standard students’ presentation focused on low-flow showerheads as an inexpensive yet effective way to significantly reduce the amount of water usage in their village. As part of the project they will be distributing flyers in the community, outlining their findings, encouraging residents to make the change and enjoy lower water bills. 

The Caring For Our Watersheds program is an environmental educational competition that encourages creativity and rewards students for the solutions they identify. Caring For Our Watersheds partners with communities to create focused solutions to local watershed issues. 

Students researched their local watershed, identified an environmental concern and came up with a realistic solution. The researched ideas needed to be explained in an approximately 1000 word proposal, including visuals, models, and graphics. 

Independent Judges read 110 proposals and advanced the top 10 in the Grades 7-9 category and the top eleven in the Grades 10-12 category. They were judged on innovation, environmental impact, comprehensive scope, communication, budget, realistic solutions and visuals. Both categories competed at the same time in different locations at the Zoo.  

The contestants had five minutes to explain their ideas to a panel of judges and a public audience. The written score and verbal score were combined to determine the placement of the finalists. 

Of the 20 finalists in Grades 7-12, Standard was only one of two rural schools represented, the other being from Milk River, with the rest from Calgary. 

Each year Agrium invites students to submit proposals that answer the question: “WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR WATERSHED?” 

The program rewards the students and the schools who submit the most creative, thought-provoking and innovative ideas.

The success of Caring For Our Watersheds relies on local residents who want to make a positive difference in their community. Tasks and assignments come in all skill levels and time commitments – and range from classroom speakers to individuals who help set up the winning exhibits.

For more information or to submit proposals for the next year go to www. CaringForOurWatersheds.com.