Y.E.S. offers an annual oportunity to showcase and
compete with your sustainability project

Competitions Levels for Elementary to University
A unique way to Showcase the work of Science, Geography, Social Studies and Art Students

Welcome to Youth Encouraging Sustainability. The project is an initiative of the Science Council Manitoba. We sponsor an annual sustainability showcase and competition in May. We also sponsor sustainability inservices and a sustainability speakers bureau.

This year's theme is "Challenges for a Sustainable Future" (topics on "Water" continue to be included). Projects with different sutainability topics, other than those suggested in the lists of this document, will also be accepted. Scholarship awards will be made at the Grade 12, university/college levels this year. In addition, Award of Excellence Plaques (one for each level/combined catagory) will be awarded to an outstanding Grades 1 to 5, Grades 6 to 8, Grades 9 to 11 and Grade 12 project. Awards are based upon an executive decision. A minimum of 80% in the sustainability judging section is required.

The showcase and competition project will foster, showcase and reward teacher/student initiatives concerned with developing projects that focus on SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HEALTH OF SOCIETY AND THE ECONOMY. Major world issues pose a challenge to many of our young people, and they desire to share in the solution of these problems. Nowhere do we find as many problematic situations as in the management of our environment. This progressive plan will provide champion students, under the direction of a guiding mentor, with an opportunity to acquire the skills of:

1. Collecting information on the environment using appropriate surveys and technologies;
2. Analyzing their systems of choice and discovering the important trends and connections;
3. Identifying sustainable problems, and through problem solving strategies, look at the options and develop a concensus about what needs to be changed;
4. Developing responsibility in stewardship by planning appropriate and cooperative action plans to implement their solutions in their schools and the community.

Activities at this Annual Showcase will also build the UNDERSTANDING, SKILLS AND VALUES NEEDED FOR SUSTAINABILITY. These include:

1. Understanding the input that human enterprise has on the welfare of both humans and the environment;
2. Knowledge of the mechanisms of economic development at local, national and international levels;
3. A vision of the sustainable community, and steps needed to achieve and maintain its infrastructure and its emotional well-being.

The Showcase will ensure that champions have recognition for their leadership with real contributions to challenging tasks. A goodwill builder for participants, it will promote excellent morale networking and strengthen partnerships between Interpretive centres, such as Oak Hammock Mash Interpretive Center and all educational bodies. The entire project has a good fit to educational agendas since the new Pan-Canadian Science Curriculum Framework has a strong emphasis on stewardship. One of the long term continuing impacts of the program will be the exposure of students to environmental stewardship opportunities attached to career development.

For more information or if you would like to volunteer to help with this project
please contact Dr. Heather Robinson at Ph.1-204-284-5024 or Fax1-204-956-5049

Y.E.S. Home Page