Youth
VIA's EnviroExpo Scholarship
VIA Rail has just launched EnviroExpo, an exciting program that challenges students to suggest innovative and unique solutions to environmental problems. All proposed projects must blend science - such as biotechnology and engineering - with artistic media - such as sculpture and multi-media.
Their partner, Youth Science Foundation Canada, will then make it possible for these projects to compete in science fairs and potentially qualify for the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Ottawa in 2008.
Winners will be eligible for $30,000 worth of scholarship prizes from VIA Rail.
For more information about getting involved, visit the Enviro Expo web site http://www.viaenviroexpo.ca
Living the Environment III Conference 2007
Another wonderful Living the Environment Conference took place at Mohawk College. This conference fosters innovative environmental leadership within schools and the local community with participation from all area high schools (and a couple of Burlington schools) sending a teacher and 2 students to take take part in the conference’s interactive workshops, displays, lunch and keynote speeches. This year the conference featured a fashion show of clothing that students reworked from used clothing, organized by Sapphire Singh of Revolution Wear. The keynote speaker was Quinn Runkle, a high school student from B.C., who went on an expedition to the Antartic to learn about climate change and has since travelled her province sharing her passion about the environment.
Some of the other workshops covered were: "Ideas into Action", "Transforming School Grounds into Learning Grounds", "School Roof Solar Panels", "the Race to Renew/Auditing your Trash", "Idling Stinks", "Climate Change". The Hamilton Community Foundation and its Youth Advisory Council, Mohawk College, and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) McMaster University hosted this wonderful event.
The conference encourages the participation of area schools in the Foundation's Protecting Our Environment Together (POET) Youth Grants Program.
For more information on the Grants Program or HCF's Youth Advisory Council contact Hamilton Community Foundation at (905)-523-5600
Earth Day Hamilton’s Eco-Festival for Students
This 2-day event at the Royal Botanical Gardens was put on by the Earth Day Hamilton Committee, a non-profit volunteer group headed by local business owner Larry Pomerantz.
Funding from several local businesses and individuals, as well as TD Canada Friends of the Environment allowed the committee to run an expanded event (2 days) along with fundraising efforts initiated by the committee. A contingent of over 30 dedicated volunteers, including the Saltfleet High School Green Team, worked hard, along with the exhibitors and workshop people to ensure that the day was a success. With the help from sponsors, the event runs on a donation-only fee structure ensuring that any student can attend.
This year the event will return to the Royal Botanical Gardens, allowing students a day to experience interactive workshops and see nature first-hand on guided nature walks - helping to build environmental leaders.
The Earth Day committee also organizes the annual Earth Day Hamilton Walk and Tree Planting. Anyone wishing to volunteer or collaborate for next year can go to their web site www.earthdayhamilton.ca for contact information.
