THUNDER BAY — The Lakehead Public District School Board celebrated the launch of their newest environment specialist high skills major program.
Students, staff, board members and community partners gathered at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute to take part in drone flying, soil testing and the Amazing Race earlier this month.
“I think helping our Earth is very helpful and I believe that cleaning up one step at a time is slowly going to help Earth and climate change in the long term," said Nigel Kingston, a Grade 10 Superior CVI student who assisted in organizing the relay for other students.
Talan Douglas, another Grade 10 student helping run the relay, encourages his peers to get garbage off the street, “it's Earth Day. Do something green."
Teachers and school board members said they were thrilled with the launch of the newest program, which allows for students to participate in a specific sector while meeting the requirements for their Ontario secondary school diploma.
“What it's really about is giving students an opportunity to take part in activities that they normally wouldn't get a chance to do in a regular classroom,” said Jason Pilot, the chair of science at Superior CVI.
The students of Superior now have the ability to work with a forestry simulator alongside GPS technology and GIS technology.
“Really what this offers kids is an opportunity to feel excitement about something and feel pride in what they do . . . and giving them those extra opportunities to see what's out there in the real world,” said Pilot.
“We just started developing the SHSM last year, but I've seen the benefits of the SHSM in all schools not just in Superior but all schools across the city,” he added.
“And I think it's a wonderful program that the ministry is investing in and it helps a lot of students out and gives a lot of students purpose.”
With the environment specialist being the newest program addition to the high school, the hope is to maintain the program and that over the years it will gain support from students.
Students looking for more information on the program can visit the school’s website
