Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is pleased to announce three of its schools have been awarded a BP Canada A+ for Energy grant. Bev Facey Community High, Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary, and Woodbridge Farms Elementary each received $10,000 to implement an innovative energy-related learning activity in their classrooms.
Bev Facey plans to use the $10,000 to develop mechanically powered charging stations. Students will design and build the charging stations and then use the energy generated by the school's stationary bikes to power various electronics. The goal of the project is to introduce students to renewable-energy forms and the practical ways it can be applied.
"Designing and building charging stations by alternative energy offers students several learning opportunities and encourages them to make sustainable choices in their own lives," says Bill Schlacht, the principal at Bev Facey Community High. "It's great to see our teachers push the envelope to show innovation and maximize student learning."
Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary is using its funds to further develop its aquaponics farm and investigate the feasibility of using renewable resources to power its lights, fans, and heating systems. As part of the school's science program students from all grades have created an aquaponics farm that uses tilapia to grow vegetables. The system breaks down the by-products from the fish to produces nitrates and nitrites, which are used to fertilize the vegetables. The water is then recirculated back into fish tanks.
"The project began roughly 18-months ago as a hands-on learning activity to help our students gain a deeper understanding of how biological cycles work," says Wes Metra, the assistant principal at Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary. "Over the next year, students will work on a more robust aquaponics system that's sustainable and capable of producing larger quantities of vegetables."
Woodbridge Farms Elementary also received a $10,000 grant from BP Canada for an Artist in Residence Program. In partnership with the Evergreen Theatre, the school will offer a one-week performing arts class that will enable students to create a play entitled, Energy: Past, present, and future, and theme it around the importance of energy in our everyday lives. At the end of the week, the students will then perform their play in front of the entire school.
"Energy is a key driver of our economy we need it for almost everything we do from transportation to technology," says Sven Danzinger, the principal at Woodbridge Farms Elementary. "That said, we also need to learn more about the responsible development, and use, of energy. My hope is through this program, our students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of energy in their daily lives."
BP Canada's A+ for Energy grants recognize innovative classroom, after-school, extracurricular, and summer projects that focus on teaching students about energy and energy conservation. Teachers awarded with the grants are those who have demonstrated a commitment to education and understand the importance of captivating their students by bringing education to life.
Congratulations to all of the EIPS schools and teachers involved in the A+ for Energy program!
