Strathmore High School held its first-ever Envirothon on Thursday (Sept. 26).
The event involved Grade 6 students from Strathmore and the surrounding area visiting the school's community greenhouse to learn more about environmental studies.
"Envirothon is an award-winning competition in Alberta. We've been lucky enough to attend the last two years with groups of students. Our students always have a great time," said Cole Hintz, a teacher at Strathmore High. "The key thing about Envirothon is they get to learn shoulder-to-shoulder with environmental science professionals in the actual field doing hands-on science."
Inspired by the event, Hintz and a team of students and teachers put together their own Envirothon program as a way to pay it forward.
"Our students are the teachers, and we built a partnership with local environmental science professionals," added Hintz.
The community greenhouse is a student-built project that is free for community use and is partially funded by local businesses.
According to Hintz, the first year of Envirothon at Strathmore High has been great.
"It's a terrific learning environment for these students," said Hintz. "Our students are so prepared and so passionate."
There were members from Inside Education, the Town of Strathmore, Alberta Lake Management, Foothills Forest Association, and Flowing Springs also helping out at the event. There was also a second group touring the Legacy Farm Project just outside of Strathmore.
"Sometimes when you think about environmental science, it can be very doom and gloom. With the people we have today, we have an opportunity for students to learn some practical simple things that they can do."
Due to the support of Nutrien and Capital Power, the event was free for local schools to attend.