The Great EcoKids Challenge is an annual nationwide contest, providing schools, extra-curricular clubs and youth groups with an opportunity to positively impact our environment. Through large-scale group activities, students are provided with a platform that helps to develop and hone their leadership and teamwork skills, stimulate their creativity and increase their awareness about environmental issues. The Great EcoKids Challenge empowers students to generate positive change for their school and communities, and ultimately, the health of the environment.

Winners are judged on four criteria:
1. Contributes to the health of the environment
2. Produces positive outcomes
3. Encourages student participation and leadership
4. Impacts positively on the local community

Here are the great Sony prizes for 2009:

Sony’s 32” BRAVIA^® LCD TV (KDL-32L500) and Sony's NWZW202 WALKMAN^® Wearable MP3 Player

Primary Winner

Conrad Elementary School - Prince Rupert, BC
Teacher: Mae Jong-Bowles
Project: Wildlife awareness campaign

The kindergarten students of Conrad Elementary School ran a very successful fundraiser to raise money for the local wildlife shelter - the Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab Shelter. The students handmade packages of birdseed using recycled materials and birdseed that was donated by Ocean Wild. The enthusiastic group far surpassed their goal of raising $230 by raising $1800 for the wildlife shelter. They advertised their campaign not only to their school but their local community as well. Students learned about wild birds and the dangers they face when migrating back for the spring. They encouraged the public to learn about their feathery friends as well, by purchasing bird seed and using recycled materials to create back yard bird feeders.

Junior Winner

Herb Campbell Public School - Caledon, ON
Teacher: Olivier St-Hilaire
Project: School yard naturalization project and outdoor classroom

The students of Herb Campbell Public School worked hard to create a beautiful, green space on their property that could be used as a learning space for the school community. The native plant garden was designed by the students to include a mini climate lab and a butterfly garden among other features. In addition to providing a safe haven for wildlife, the students are using the garden to learn about how pollution and climate change impact animal and plant life, biodiversity and how species are all interconnected, and the human impact on fragile ecosystems. Working closely with local organizations, the students are also focusing on eating locally grown food and are encouraging their family and community members to do so.

Intermediate Winner

Sir William Gage - Brampton, ON
Teacher: Andrée Plastre
Project: School-wide recycling campaign

After doing a school garbage audit the Sir William Gage Green Gators team realized that they could be producing much less garbage if they implemented a recycling program. They worked closely with the Region of Peel, Brampton Clean City, students, custodians and staff to reduce the school garbage from 150 litres a day to only 50 litres a day! The Green Gators also started a litterless lunch program and are hoping to initiate a composting program for September 2009. Their goal is to be a litter free, environmentally conscious school, and they are well on their way!