A group of teens from Maskwacis Cree High School are designing a vermicomposting program to help reduce food waste at their secondary school in the central Alberta community of Maskwacis.
Red wiggler worms will work their magic on food scraps and convert it into nutrient-rich compost, which can then be used as an organic fertilizer in sustainable farming.
The project is the first phase of their vision to improve recycling services in their community.
The students began planning this undertaking at the Gener8 Energy and Climate Youth Leadership Summit, held March 13 to 16 in Calgary. The gathering was part of a suite of youth summits organized by Inside Education, an Edmonton-based not-for-profit that, since 1985, has supported K-to-12 teachers and inspired students to better understand the science, technology and issues related to the environment and natural resources.
After attending sessions on subjects such as carbon capture, climate change innovations, the energy future, and emissions reduction, participants split into groups by high school to apply their learnings and develop a project that will make a difference in their communities.
“The summit is a great opportunity for students to spend time thinking about innovations, technology, and current issues, all surrounding energy and climate,” explains Natalie Graveline, Program Manager at Inside Education.
“The ultimate goal is to transform the experience into impactful school-based action projects, to empower student leadership, foster active local engagement, and extend the influence of the Summit, reaching far beyond the teams of students and teachers directly involved.”
Inside Education’s programs, including the summit, are available free of charge for students and educators, so there are no barriers for those who wish to expand their knowledge, meet professionals in energy- and climate-related fields, build on school curriculum and become informed stewards of our natural resources.
This year’s Gener8 summit, or Generate 2025, saw 80 students and 40 teachers from across Canada come together to learn and innovate. In previous years, attendance was predominantly from schools in Alberta; this year, students and educators from across Canada participated, thanks to funding from Enbridge.
