Acadia University
The Nova Scotia Provincial Envirothon Competition was held May 12th and 13th at the K.C. Irving Centre, Acadia University.
This is the first time the Provincial Envirothon was held since pre-pandemic.
The event was an overwhelming success. Four teams of high school students were in attendance. The focus was on having a small, positive event to build the excitement for growth in 2023. The goal was certainly achieved with many students asking for a longer event because they had so much fun they didn’t want to leave!
Each year, the international NCF-Envirothon board sets a current topic for students to focus their learning on. The current topic for 2022 was Waste to Resources, focused on encouraging students to understand the complexities of lowering our waste production and improving recycling.
The students had a full agenda that included tours of Acadia’s waste management system and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. There was a presentation and Q&A from Doug Hickman, an accomplished waste consultant who was instrumental in designing Canada’s first municipal recycling program. Mr. Hickman volunteered to develop a waste management scenario for the students to solve and share with a panel of judges through an oral presentation. The first day ended with a campfire and smores. Day two was field testing day, each team completed hands on tests in the core topics of aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife. The tests were prepared and administered by a wonderful team of volunteers that work in the respective fields.
We are proud that with careful consideration of COVID-19 we were able to host an in person event. We are the first Maritime province to return to in person Envirothon competitions since 2019.
Congratulations to Cobequid Education Centre’s team for winning the title of 2022 Provincial Envirothon Champions. The team was comprised of: Megan, Abby, Katie, Madeleine and Emma, and under the direction of teacher Aaron Elser.
Envirothon has a 30+ year history in Nova Scotia, in 2022 Acadia University become the official sponsor of the provincial program. To learn more about Envirothon visit this page. If you are a teacher of grade 9-12 students and would like to learn more about participating in the program please email sarah.hines@acadiau.ca.
