Strathmore High School hosts first annual local Envirothon

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Strathmore High School hosted an environmental science competition, Sept. 26, for Grade 6 students in the local region as an opportunity to explore a variety of disciplines in field work.

Called an Envirothon, over 250 students participated in the event which took place both at Strathmore High School and the Legacy Farm. Stations were set up at both locations focussing on topics spread across agriculture and forestry industries.

“Students (had) the opportunity to go to different field stations and learn shoulder to shoulder with our Envirothon students, as well as environmental science professionals who actually work in the field,” said Cole Hintz, a teacher at Strathmore High School who oversaw the event. “This is the first year that we are actually offering it. We attend the Alberta Envirothon every year – it is an award-winning program and competition. The last couple of years it has taken place up in Vermilion, but we have been able to take a couple of teams of students each year.”

The goal, added Hintz, is for Strathmore High School’s Envirothon to become an annual staple and learning opportunity.

He explained ideas for the local event began to be brainstormed on the return trip from last year’s provincial competition. 

“I think it is really powerful for students being able to work shoulder to shoulder with professionals in the actual industry,” said Hintz. “Alberta Lake Management Society came and they do a really great job of talking about watersheds and the importance of riparian areas for our water. We are working with Foothills Forage Association; they came and talked to students about different grazing practices and had students build paddocks for cattle.”

The Town of Strathmore also got involved, with the local arborist having come out to talk to students about urban forestry.

Strathmore High School students were working in tandem alongside the guest industry professionals to run the various stations and teach the participating Grade 6 students.

“It was a great opportunity for students to connect and teach with other students from younger grades, and then from the younger side, it was a really good chance to connect the curriculum to what they are doing at the end of it,” said Hintz. “At the end of the competition back at their schools, they got a scenario that they had to solve together – it was a real-world problem and they had to come up with a plan for their development, keeping in mind some of the things they picked up in the field stations during that day.”

Hintz added Nutrien and Capital Power stepped up to assist the event, allowing Strathmore High School to be able to host it for free for all the attending schools.