Newsroom City of Calgary



The Expo is held in conjunction with National Environment Week in June. The Expo fosters environmental behaviour change through educational and interactive exhibits and workshops aimed at youth. It ensures we have well-educated environmental stewards that practice and promote environmental sustainability. In 2019, an estimated 4,000 students and teachers will attend the Expo. The Eco-Leaders Program helps students develop environmental projects within their school and community. Schools commit to a six-month environmental project and are assisted with micro-grants, and subject matter experts. Eco-Leaders then showcase their work at the Expo. Eco-Leader school Belvedere Parkway is the first designated Bee City School in Calgary, as of April 2019. See Page 3 for a full list of Eco-Leader schools.The Mayor’s guest, Haidar Putra, is a BSc geology student from the University of Calgary. He graduated high school in the summer of 2018 after immigrating to Calgary in 2016 from Malaysia. Haidar’s involvement in environmental education projects as part of the Mayor’s Environment Expo Eco-Leaders program focused on the Bow River and renewable energies and earned him the Calgary Foundation’s Julia Turnbull Award for future leaders. Haidar is currently working on delivering environmental education and creating a mentorship program to classrooms all around Calgary as a leader of the Students On Sustainability Student Society.2019 Jack Leslie Youth Environmental Grant RecipientsEvery year, as part of the Mayor’s Environment Expo, the Jack Leslie Youth Environmental Grant is awarded to two deserving environmental stewardship projects, led by young Calgarians.Earth Guardians YYC environmental group for their project called 'Flower of Waste' The group’s goal is to create a beautiful, large wild rose structure made from garbage, recycling, pipes and wire. They hope to showcase their project at elementary schools, create a game show and “trashion” show. They reuse garbage from parks, schoolyards, and roadways for supplies. St. Mary's High School Environmental Action Team (E.A.T) for their project called "Mary's Compost and Recycling". The group’s goal is to replace all individual trash bins with a combination of trash, recycling and compost bins, providing options and choices for St. Mary’s High School students. 2019 Mayor’s Environment Expo Youth Photography ContestThe Youth Photography Contest encourages youth to capture an environmental theme in their submission in specific categories. Approximately 130 photos were submitted by Calgary students in four categories: Through a Climate Lens, Environmental Adaptation, Impacts of Climate Change, and Resilience. The award presentations were made at the Calgary Municipal Building on May 23, 2019. Grand Prize Winners:First place: Kayla RogersSecond place: Christian MagsombolThird?place: Rayanne FriesenFourth place: Keiwa LoCategory Winners:Through a Climate Lens:1st Place: Rayanne Friesen2nd Place: Jamie Lamb3rd Place: Keiwa LoHonourable Mention: Jason Joly-RiceImpacts of Climate Change: 1st Place: Vaishu Koduri2nd Place: Malaika Athar3rd Place: Metea RomanzinHonourable Mention: James HartmannEnvironmental Adaptation:1st Place: Petra Bolhorn2nd Place: Christian Magsombol3rd Place: Keiwa LoHonourable Mention: Angelina HuiResilience 1st Place: Kayla Rogers2nd Place: Petra Bolhorn3rd Place: Christian MagsombolHonourable Mention: Jack O’ConnellFor more information: Calgary.ca/mee School Project DescriptionsDay 1 Projects (June 4, 2019)?Water Energy/GHG Waste Urban Gardening BiodiversitySchoolGradeProject TitleProject DescriptionExhibit DetailsBelvedere Parkway3 - 6If We Build It, Will They ComeTo attract local solitary bees and other pollinators to their local environment these students expanded their existing school vegetable garden by planting local, native wildflower garden with ‘bee loving’ plants and installed solitary bee homes. Their work has led to their school being the first Bee City School in Calgary.Large scale model of a solitary bee hotel.Project processBee surveyBraeside3 & 4 & 6The Waste BustersTo create a self-sustaining recycling and composting culture, students installed more recycling & compost stations in their school as well as educated their student body on how to recycle and compost effectively and why it’s important.Project ProcessRecycling & composting activityModel of naturalization areaCopperfield4Our Water, Our Waste, Our WorldStudents wanted to educate their school community to be more mindful of their actions to minimize?watershed pollution, understand the?cost of?waste in our waterways, and learn how to protect our watershed. Through three mini projects: educational workshops; water table cityscape demonstrations; and single use?plastic water bottle upcycling, students were able to educate their school communitySlideshow presentationsWater education games & activitiesCityscape Water TableUpcycled item displaySt. Pius X3Building Tomorrow’s Sustainable Leaders, Today!While researching gardening practices for the school naturalization area, students discovered the population of the world is increasing dramatically, resulting in less urban outdoor growing spaces. Students decided to educate their school community on the importance of sustainable food production and created different indoor gardens to show how easy it is to grow your own food.Sustainability quizIndoor gardens:HydroponicSeed sprouter,Vermin-compostGrow lightsPlant quizHillhurst (1)1 & 2Helping WildWith the goal to improve their urban community, students learned about and educated others on the impact of cigarette waste on their community. The group engaged community experts and investigated the effects of cigarettes on our health, to our water, ground and their role in starting forest fires, grass fires and building fires.Interactive building & creative activityQuizProject processHillhurst (2)3 & 4#SaveTheBurrowingOwlsStudents began an awareness campaign for Burrowing Owls to share their importance to our local ecosystem. By educating the community, students are working to build an understanding that will lead to the protection of the small, long-legged owl from habitat loss and ensure a stronger ecosystem around Calgary. Props and masks for a social media booth to join the social media campaignCreate hashtagsHugh A. Bennett4Reducing our Waste!This group reduced the overall waste production at their school by ensuring all waste, recyclable and compostable materials were placed into the correct bins. Students conducted waste audits, created posters, delivered presentations and used interactive activities to encourage and continue to reduce waste levels.Waste audit research dataPostersSorting activityMidnapore4Electronic RecyclingThe purpose of this project was to extend student knowledge of electronic recycling and improve school waste management. The students identified options to reduce electronic waste responsibly and educated their school community. Project processIntroductory materialDisplay of unique recyclable materialMidnapore4Writing Utensil RecyclingWith the goal to reduce the generated waste from used pens, markers, and highlighters at their school, students researched and found a way to recycle these everyday items to keep them out of our landfill.Project processIntroductory materialDisplay of unique recyclable materialMidnapore4Solar EnergyTo gain an understanding of solar energy students built solar powered devices to gain first-hand knowledge of how solar energy works. With this small-scale initiative, students were able to educate their peers and inspire their families to help reduce energy consumption and consider alternative energy.Project processSolar powered prototypesSolar power informational displayMother Mary Greene4School GardenStudents wished to create a school garden which would be a legacy project in their school. The overall inquiry was to understand how to begin & maintain a sustainable garden. Students gained hands on learning by: building garden baskets, planting seeds, caring for plants and transplanting.Garden modelFlip books & postersPlant pamphletsActivitiesBasket weaving demonstrationSlideshowNew Brighton2Our Way of Life Impacts the EnvironmentBy focusing on their connection to water in their?community, students learned the important role that storm ponds play in our city and how we are all connected by our water. Students have educated their community on how decisions made impact our watersheds and oceans.Storm water system mapStorm water pond displayInteractive watershed activityRon Southern1 – 6Growing for our FutureStudents learned about the conservation of water and land to produce food for human consumption within a controlled indoor climate. By learning indoor growing methods, growing food inside and selling their produce at a local school market, students are now more mindful of the land conservation, inspired by The City of Calgary’s Green Building initiatives.Soil samplesPlant your own seedProject process Day 2 Projects (June 5, 2019)? Water Energy/GHG Waste Urban Farming BiodiversitySchoolGradeProject TitleProject DescriptionExhibit DetailsBowcroft6DIY Aquaponics GardenStudents focused on how they could create a year-round indoor garden that provides vegetables for their breakfast program. Through research and design students learned about hydroponic and aquaponic systems, plants, growing mediums and how to reduce their environmental impact by growing locally.Miniature model Education stations.Project journey videoCollingwood4 & 5Reducing & Reusing through Eco-BricksWith the goal to reduce the amount of non-recyclable plastics from their school going to landfills, students decided to build awareness to increase recycling, reusing and reducing. By reusing the low-density plastic to build eco-bricks, in Spanish “ladrillos ecologicos”, their school community participated in gathering bottles, creating eco-bricks and designing and building furniture for student use.How to build an eco-brickMath quizSingle use plastic craft ideasLearning and project processResearch dataHarold Panabaker5 & 6Too Good To WasteStudents raised environmental awareness by starting a composting program. The compost created was used to fertilize planted seeds grown via solar powered lights in mini greenhouses. Students also educated the school community on how to start composting, use the various parts of the school garden and how to contribute towards the garden's success.Display greenhouses & plantersLego setsVideosDisplay photos and informationInteractive activitiesHighwood3 & 4Solar Energy ProjectTo lower their school’s energy use, build awareness of solar energy and climate change concepts, students implemented a school wide solar energy project. This project examined energy consumption behavior, monitored energy use and educate the school community on ways to conserve energy and encouraged solar energy use.Project processResearch dataSolar prototypesInteractive gamesDesign stationSolar photo boothFact sheetsOur Lady of the Assumption4 - 6Tower Gardens for SustainabilityThrough studying ideas around sustainability, students discovered how much of our food is transported long distances. To reduce their school’s environmental impact, students used grow towers to grow food in school, reducing their environmental footprint.Taste TestFootprint displaySlideshowSaint Kateri Tekakwitha4 -6SKT One World Warriors: Don’t Boast, Just Compost!!Students had the goal to increase compost awareness at their school and encourage school wide participation in the compost program. This group developed: a picture based composting manual, implemented Trashless Tuesdays in February and May, ran challenges and contests, as well as planted two mini education gardens.School challengesPhotos of composting and natural gardensDecomposing binsTrivia gameSimons Valley4CommunityGardenProjectStudents identified the need to reduce in school waste and outdoor water consumption. Through research of native plant species, drought tolerant plants, weeds, watering practices, a school supported art project and a partnership with parent council, these students planted a water efficient garden and raised awareness about non-recyclable materials.Plant slideshowTerrarium displayMulch versus oil displayUpcycled art piecesValley Creek4Kid Fantastic CompostersIn order to improve their schools compost and recycling, students educated their student body. Through student surveys, increasing the availability of compost and recycling bins, providing in class presentations, school-wide challenges and a parody music video “Look What We Almost Threw”, these students were able to reduce their waste and build a school culture committed to sustainability.Project process displayPremiere music videoInteractive sorting game.West Dover4UnpluggedStudents noticed a misuse of electricity within their school and aimed to reduce their electricity consumption. Through school assemblies, announcements, posters, classroom presentations, and classroom competitions, students have observed a decrease in electricity use.Project process timelinePoems and stories connected to conserving electricityWest Dover4One Drop Makes a DifferenceStudents noticed unnecessary water wasted due to school facilities and student behavior. Through school assemblies, announcements, fliers, pamphlets, classroom contests and the installation of a hydration station, students reduced their indoor water consumption.World water demonstrationProject process timelineInformational pamphletsStudent work examplesWest Dover4Reducing WasteIn order to lower the garbage waste of their school, students aimed to encourage their student body to compost and recycle correctly. They were able to achieve this through waste audits, school assemblies, announcements, posters, classroom presentations and litter-less lunch competitions.Project timelineWaste sorting activityWest Ridge5Raptors on the road to Garbage Free LunchesStudents set a goal to reduce the waste within their school by increasing compost use and promoting garbage free lunches. Informational posters, announcements, letter writing campaigns, in class presentations and beeswax food wrap workshops, have assisted these students to increase their school’s sustainability culture and improve their waste management practices.Create your own beeswax reusable food bagInteractive game on wasteSustainability knowledge testProject journey display Day 3 Projects (June 6, 2019)? Water Energy/GHG Waste Urban Gardens BiodiversitySchoolGradeProject TitleProject DescriptionExhibit DetailsArbour Lake (1)6Tap versus BottleStudents aimed to reduce the number of single use plastic water bottles in their school and educate the school about the issue. Through comparing plastic bottled water and tap water data, creating a petition to stop selling plastic water bottles in school, conducting student surveys, proving water taste tests and educational materials, students are achieving their project goals.Taste test of tap versus bottled waterTale of a plastic water bottleMyth or Fact gamesWater droplet garlandQuilted water dropsDigital presentationArbour Lake (2)9Waste Paper RecyclingTo address the over consumption of paper in school, this group aimed to reduce the amount of paper used in classrooms by 50%. Students recycled old paper into new paper and provided it as educational material for students and teachers as well as for in class use, reducing both new paper consumption and paper being transported to recycling facilities.Timeline of paper making processRecycled paper examplesStudent work created with recycled paper1 week of paper waste installationPaper making stationBlessed Cardinal Newman7-9Making a Rain Garden in CalgaryTo reduce their water consumption and increase school yard biodiversity students have researched, designed and started building a self-sufficient rain garden. Through learning about the importance of rain gardens, proper plant selection, rainwater collection and runoff, students have been able to reduce their school’s ecological footprint.Rain garden modelProject informationQuiz stationsLangevin7 & 8The Langevin Bike HackLangevin students aimed to overcome the obstacles students face to use green modes of transportation. They achieved this through teaching: bicycle maintenance, bike safety and upcycled bike construction. As well as promoting Bike to School Day, creating outreach initiatives and establishing community partnerships. Through these methods and more students were able to increase the use of bicycles and build a school culture that supports green modes of transportation.Hands on break down and construction of a bicyclePledge wallMake your own art piece from upcycled bicycle partsStory-telling mascotDIY podcastMaster’s Academy and College6 - 8Aquaponics – The Growing Method of the FutureStudents formed a Regenerative Design Team with the intent of reducing their school’s environmental footprint. Through the building of an aquaponics system and establishing in school vermicomposting, students were able to grow produce to provide to their cafeteria, thus reducing the environmental impact of buying food.Video slideshow of processMini aquaponics systemTimelineBrochuresPPT presentationObservation station Peter Lougheed7 & 8Traffic, Safety and the EnvironmentStudents identified traffic congestion at school to be a significant environmental and safety issue and aimed to reduce traffic congestion by 25%. This group led various initiatives including: parent information surveys, Winter Fitness Fridays, ‘Leave your Fuel at Home Day’, letter writing campaigns and parent council collaborations, have started to reduce both traffic and their school’s environmental footprint.Photos & stories from project eventsOnline driving simulatorQueen Elizabeth8-11Gardening with Native Plants for Water SustainabilityStudents continued their work on a multi-year project to build sustainable urban gardens to help educate their community on simple ways to reduce our impact on our watershed. Students applied their research and built an experimental model garden that showcases how sustainable plants can reduce water, fertilizer, and pesticide/herbicide use in urban gardens.Make your own mini-self watering garden based on student experimental techniquesMatching game Visual display initiativesRenert5 - 9Happy Trash CanInspired to address their school’s waste management issues, these students created an interactive trash can booth that gives positive feedback when used. Through this initiative students increased waste awareness around proper waste sorting.Project processInteractive waste sorting activityKnowledge testing quizzesRenert5 - 9Inquiry to a Greener RenertThis inquiry based project was a collaboration of various student groups to reduce waste and green their school. Through research and hands on experimenting, students were able to understand how to reuse everyday products, identify plant species ideal to grow indoors and reduce the care required to upkeep these plants.Project processTrivia games Coffee cup plantersSelf-watering planterSamples of sprouted speciesMake your own planter Renert5 - 9Sustainable House Day EventStudents were interested in teaching their peers about reducing electricity consumption. By creating fun, interactive and educational activities students were able to increase school spirit as well as educate their student body on how to reduce their electricity consumption Educational games and activitiesProject processRenert5-9Plants, Planters & GardensStudents aimed to decrease their environmental impact by growing food on site. Through research and hands on experimenting, students were able to understand how to reuse everyday products, identify plant species ideal to grow indoors and reduce the care required to upkeep these plants.Project processTrivia gameCoffee cup plantersSelf-watering planterSamples of sprouted speciesMake your own planterSherwood8 & 9Experiential Outdoor Education and StewardshipTo increase a school culture of sustainability students developed educational outreach materials, conducted a community clean up, installed a water bottle filling station and took outdoor place-based educational trips. These initiatives were able to increase student and school awareness of environmental issues and encourage outdoor activities.Outdoor Education stationsInformation on school based initiativesSir John A. Macdonald7Waste Not, Want NotStudents identified waste management at their school as a primary issue. Through student surveys, waste audits and acquiring additional waste bins, delivering educational presentations and creating posters, this group was able to achieve their project goals.Litterati app Project process illustrationCommunity clean up Sorting activityLitter lettersStudent art projectSt. Martha7Polar Bears, Penguins and PaperInspired to help educate their school about waste and habitat loss caused by climate change, students created an informative visual art piece. Students built an outreach art installation, comprised of species at risk models made from school paper waste and educational materials.Project process modelPaper mache modelsHow to paper mache ................
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