Winnipeg school wins $25K Staples Canada eco-innovator prize

The contest looked for "ecovators" as a sign of how each of the schools was making a difference for the environment. The winners were announced over the last few weeks in the lead up to Earth Day, which is later this month.

Tuesdaymorning at Argyle School, students were gathered for a surprise assembly where they were told they were going to be finalists in the competition. Representatives from Staples Canada were on hand to talk to the students about why their submission caught the attention of the judges. It was then revealed the studentswere in fact winners of the prize.

Eco-friendly history

Argyle School has been taking part in environment initiatives for years, such as using wind turbines and solar technologies, as well as composting projects. The students use their video production program as a way of documenting their eco-initiatives, and then share them with other schools.

"Our school is doing a lot of things with the environment, but more specifically, our students are educating their fellow students," said David Berg, an educational assistant at the school.

"Students jump into these initiatives and these projects and these videos. As they do them, they get a lot of energy off of each other and there's a feeling of 'I'm doing something for my community, for my
world.'"

New tech

Argyle School will receive $25,000 in new technology from Staples. The school is currently using computers that are upwards of 10 years old and cannot run the latest in video editing software. The students also hope to get DVDs, scanners, and a projector in order to help them continue their video projects.

"Winning the Staples contest is a validation of what we are doing at Argyle ... Students are just rather surprised that they could be part of doing something that benefits the school and their fellow students in such a big way," said Berg.

Argyle School is the second Winnipeg school to win the contest. Beaverlodge School also won the prize and had their surprise assembly in March.