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Gaia Champion Awards: NEW Champion Student Award Announced!

May 8, 2024

Before you start this article, take a breath in and out. Reach your right arm straight out in front of you with your palm facing down. Bend at the elbow, bringing the right hand to your left shoulder. Give yourself a pat on the back — you deserve it! Now, give yourself another one — that’s from us at The Gaia Project! Thanks for working with us to bring climate change education to New Brunswick. 

Every year in June, The Gaia Project recognizes two outstanding teachers or education staff (one ADS and one DSF), and one school with our Gaia Champion Awards. These awards highlight the contributions they have made in their communities and schools through environmental education or sustainability projects. This year, we are introducing a brand-new award to the program – the Champion Student Award! This award will recognize one New Brunswick K-12 student who has displayed climate action leadership within their class or school.

  • Do you know a teacher/staff member, student, or school who deserves to be a Gaia Champion? Go to our webpage, under “Teachers” and “Gaia Champion Awards,” to submit their name. 
  • Mark your calendars in June for the annual announcement.  
  • Follow us on social media to see the winner’s post! 

2022-2023 Recipient, Jessica Curry standing next to Travis Daley of The Gaia Project

2022-2023 Recipient, Jessica Curry standing next to Travis Daley of The Gaia Project 

 

What is climate action?

Climate action is making choices and doing things that are good for the environment. This can look different for every individual, classroom, and school. It might be a simple everyday action, like turning off the lights when you leave the room to reduce energy use. Those actions can become part of a routine that encourages sustainable habits. Climate action can also be large scale, like starting a compost for food waste that requires regular maintenance and commitment. Other climate actions may include: 

  • school-wide community clean-up 
  • waste-free lunch one day a week 
  • building a school garden 
  • organizing a clothing swap 
  • walking or biking to school 
  • conducting a school energy audit 
  • Reaching EcoSchools Certification 
  • Engaging in The Gaia Project programs or resources
     

The Gaia Project staff standing in front of Fundy Shores School, holding bags of trash collected from school grounds

Whether small or large, the actions that take place each day in schools across New Brunswick contribute to a more climate resilient future. Small actions add up to big success! Be proud of the actions that you take and share your achievements with The Gaia Project through social media or email. We would love to hear about your work, and maybe you can be our next Gaia Champion!

To learn more about how to take climate action at your school visit thegaiaproject.ca to explore our climate education programs and resources. 

2022-2023 Gaia Champion Award Winners: 

  • The Champion School Award: Sussex Elementary school 
  • Champion Teacher Award, Anglophone Districts: Jessica Curry, Nashwaaksis Middle School 
  • Champion Teacher Award Recipient, Francophone Districts: Lisa St-Amand Clavet, École Notre-Dame (nord)


 

Original Publication: NBTA Newsletter, April 2024 

Author: Jamylynn McDonald, Programs Coordinator 

 

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  • The Gaia Project is a wonderful resource that I have been using for many years. They have such a great staff and are truly the most helpful educational resource that I have used in my teaching career.

    Brent Anderson

    Teacher, Deer Island Elementary School

  • I had ideas for helping the environment before, but this workshop really opened my mind and gave me even more motivation and support.

    Student

    Harbour View High School

  • Being a Green Expert volunteer is such a rewarding way to represent the environmental community, especially engaging with young people interested in this future.

    Alyse Wilton

    NB Lung

  • The Gaia Project's Renewable Energy Program for 6th graders is nothing short of exceptional. It combines fun, engagement, and meaningful education in a way that truly resonates with young students.

    Krista McGinn

    Teacher, St. Stephen Middle School

  • The youth of today are the leaders, innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and decision makers of tomorrow. The Gaia Project is a unique organization helping students to understand and take action against this existential threat, now and in the future.

    John Reid

    Volunteer

  • Opportunities with The Gaia Project have helped to bring about real changes, not only in the students' understanding and views of the world around them and their capacity to help, but also in the way the school is actually run as we have made concrete changes in some of our energy consumption strategies and practices.

    Brent Rowney

    Teacher, Oromocto High School

  • Young people have a role in protecting our climate today and tomorrow, this is why we're happy to support The Gaia Project in their mission of empowering youth.

    Krista Han

    Managing Partner - New Brunswick, Grant Thornton LLP

  • Thank you, I told my parents what we did in class and now they want to recycle at home!

    Olivia

    Student, Parkwood Heights Elementary School