JOHN ABBOTT COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Cegep students innovating for a greener tomorrow

On Friday, January 17, the fourth edition of the Green Innovation Challenge, presented by Pfizer Canada, was held at John Abbott College.

Inspired by the "Startup Weekend" concept, five teams, comprised of a total of 12 students from three Montreal CEGEPs, challenged themselves over 12 hours to conceptualize and present a comprehensive project to a panel of judges. The goal of this challenge was to develop a practical idea that will help find a solution to a real-world problem.

At the end of the day, the teams presented their project to a panel of judges which included Tracey McKee (Dean of Arts & General Education, John Abbott College), Sean Hughes (Science Program Coordinator, John Abbott College) and Guy Lallemand (John Abbott College Foundation - Board of Directors, Chairperson). The top three projects selected by the judges won a cash prize from the College and Pfizer Canada.

Photo credit: Durham Ellis

Pfizer Canada is very proud to support the Green Innovation Challenge organized by John Abbott College, as we recognize global climate change as one of the defining issues of our time. We believe it is essential to empower and support the next generation to innovate and find sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges the world is facing. It was indeed very inspiring to see the participants so committed. Congratulations to the students who took part in the challenge and to the winning teams!

- Anne-Marie St-Pierre, Associate, Global Health & Social Impact, Pfizer Canada

First-place winners accept the top prize from Pfizer Canada to help implement "Pure Moss." From left to right: Guy Lallemand (John Abbott College Foundation - Board of Directors, Chair), Olivia Christopher (John Abbott College, Arts & Sciences student), Tracey McKee (Dean of Arts & General Education, John Abbott College), Talia Martin (John Abbott College, Arts & Sciences student), and Sean Hughes (Science Program Coordinator, John Abbott College). Photo credit: Durham Ellis

Over the course of a 12-hour day, students from John Abbott, Dawson and Gérald-Godin addressed problems related to climate change and sustainability. Through a series of team-building activities and workshops, they created innovative projects and then pitched them to our panel of judges. Winning teams will continue to work on their projects this semester and we look forward to supporting them on what comes next!

- Shannon Coulter-Low, Student Life Counsellor - Sustainability & Social Entrepreneurship, John Abbott College

The Pfizer Canada grand prize of $1000 was awarded to Olivia Christopher and Talia Martin, John Abbott College Arts & Science students, for their project: Pure Moss. The project seeks to build moss-supporting structures in the John Abbott College parking lot that would absorb carbon dioxide emitted from idling cars.

In second place, with a $750 prize from Pfizer Canada, was Eco Kids by Iba Malhi and Hana Eskafian, with their program that aims to introduce sustainability concepts to elementary school students through engaging and interactive kits. The third-place winners, with a $500 prize, was Vélo Secure by Arina Capral, Miella Manjava and Kyana Boncy from Dawson College. Vélo Secure seeks to create a sustainable and secure bike parking system designed for Dawson using the College's internal platform.

Congratulations to all the winners and to the participants!