Environmental Challenge for Bay of Plenty High Schools

Bay of Plenty high school teams will test their environmental knowledge and skills in the annual Enviro-Challenge competition on Thursday 7th of April.

The unique event challenges high schools to demonstrate their environmental abilities including presenting an environmental review of their school and performing a carbon footprint audit. Teams will also produce a motivational environmental poster and video for use in their school and will be tested with an environmental knowledge quiz.

The year’s event will be held at the Bay’s newest and greenest school, Papamoa College. The regional competition brings together the region’s best schools from previous district competitions.

The programme of events is supported by The Bay Trust, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and environmental consultancy Envirostate. Coordinator for the Enviro-Challenge, Bridget O’Connor explains that the design of the event ensures that senior students appreciate and understand the environmental issues facing their high schools, local communities and New Zealand. “The students are quick to learn that there are no simple answers to many of the challenges that they face – but that doesn’t seem to daunt their enthusiasm and creativity to come up with innovative solutions”.

Each of the nine participating high schools taking part in the event receives a coaching session and an on-line resource kit to prepare them for the challenge day. As well as environmental skills and knowledge, the event tests teamwork, problem solving and the ability to work under time pressure. The winning school team receives an environmental education fieldtrip. One environmental ambassador is also selected from each school to represent them on a 3-day educational programme.

The 2011 Enviro-Challenge will include a debate on the banning of plastic shopping bags. Students from each school will represent different stakeholders in the debate including supermarket chains, paper bag users Burger Fuel and the Ministry for the Environment to name just a few.

The participating schools are:

Western Heights High School (Rotorua)

John Paul College (Rotorua)

Aquinas College (Tauranga)

Bethlehem College (Tauranga)

Papamoa College (Tauranga)

Katikati College (Western BOP)

Te Puke High School (Western BOP)

Whakatane High School (Whakatane)

Taupo-nui-a-tia College (Taupo)

The event runs from 10am to 2.30pm.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

For more information visit www.envirochallenge.co.nz

ENDS

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