AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM CANADA
Canada's Young Agriculture & Food Problem Solvers Shine as the National Winner of Mission Explorium Is Announced

Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) is proud to celebrate the ingenuity and problem-solving power of students across the country through Mission Explorium, a national program that invited Grades 6-8 learners to step into the role of agriculture & food problem solvers. This year, over 5300 students registered from coast to coast to coast, engaging in hands-on, inquiry-based learning that brought agriculture, sustainability, and innovation to life.

Launched in February and concluding in May, Mission Explorium challenged students to design a sustainable community on a deserted island. Through a series of quests, students applied critical thinking, creativity, and agricultural literacy to tackle real-world issues such as food production, resource management, and community resilience. Their work demonstrated the essential role young people play in shaping the future of Canada's food system.

National Winner Announced

AITC-C is thrilled to announce that the 2026 National Winner of Mission Explorium is the Grade 6 Class of Nicole Lovell from Templeton Academy located in Meadows, Newfoundland.

This class impressed a panel of agriculture and education experts with their innovative design approach, creative storytelling, and thoughtful integration of sustainable food and community systems. Their submission showcased a deep understanding of what it means to be true agriculture and food problem solvers.

The winning class will receive an indoor garden generously donated by Plantaform, supporting continued hands-on learning in food production and sustainability.

See their creativity in action and watch their island community come alive in the winning Mission Explorium video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dYTEGEagug

Celebrating Regional Champions

Before advancing to the national round, classes competed within their regions. AITC-C proudly recognizes the 2026 Regional Winners, each of whom demonstrated outstanding creativity, collaboration, and agricultural understanding:

• Region 1: Class of Robertson - Halifax, NS (Grade 6)
• Region 2: Class of Lovell - Meadows, NL (Grade 6)
• Region 3: Class of Grandfield - Nipawin, SK (Grade 7)
• Region 4: Class of Chaszewski - Portage La Prairie, MB (Grade 6/7/8)
• Region 5: Class of McCadden - Dartmouth, NS (Grade 7/8)
• Region 6: Class of Bahuguna - Mississauga, ON (Grade 6)
• Region 7: Class of Ferraris - Saint-Colomban, QC (Grade 6)
• Region 8: Class of Pelchat - Truro, NS (Grade 8)
• Region 9: Class of Pelletier - Preissac, QC (Grade 6)
• Region 10: Class of Vincent-Racicot - Eastman, QC (Grade 6)
• Region 11: Class of Desilets - La Broquerie, MB (Grade 6)

Inspiring the Next Generation

"Through Mission Explorium, students are demonstrating the exact skills our future food system will rely on critical thinking, collaboration, and a deep understanding of sustainability," says Denise Schmidt, Executive Director of AITC-C. "Their work as agriculture and food problem solvers shows how capable and imaginative the next generation truly is."

Looking Ahead

AITC-C is excited to confirm that Mission Explorium will return in 2027, offering new opportunities for students to explore sustainability, agriculture, and innovation through inquiry-based learning.

About AITC-C

With a vision to create meaningful connections to agriculture and food, AITC-C is the national advocate for agriculture education, representing a collective of 10 provincial partner organizations who deliver agriculture education across Canada. AITC-C is the umbrella organization connecting the national network to facilitate sharing and collaboration and deliver accurate, balanced, and current resources. Visit www.aitc-canada.ca to learn more.