Showcases and the BMO Financial Group National Student Innovation Award Recipients 2010
The BMO Financial Group National Student Innovation Awards were established in 2003 to recognize and celebrate outstanding entrepreneurial achievement of students participating in the Entrepreneurial Adventure program across the country. Awards are presented in four categories: Teamwork, Impact on School or Community, Enterprising Spirit and Orginality. The Judges’ Choice Award is an all-round award aimed at recognizing a venture team that has stood out amongst its peers as ‘the best of the best’ and exhibited all the characteristics of a successful entrepreneurial team to break through barriers and turn their ideas into reality. This award recognizes a venture team’s overall distinction, with particular emphasis on how the venture experience or participation in the EA program has impacted the life, motivation and learning of one or more students. Since it began, more than 31,000 young entrepreneurs from across Canada have been involved in Entrepreneurial Adventure, which has resulted in the creation of more than 800 successful student driven social entrepreneurship ventures that have raised over $2.3 million for local and international charities.
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Originality Award - “Lessons in Leading”
Park Street School, District 18, Fredericton
Teachers: Carrie Beaumaster and Katrina McDonnell
Business Partners: Corey Mackenzie, Bank of Montreal, Joel Thompson, NB Film Association and Mitchell Greencorn, Rogers Television
Two grade five classes synergized to create a "How to" DVD which focused on teaching the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, how these citizenship qualities contributed to society, and tied in with a school-wide focus on leadership and the essential skills for Twentieth First Century Learning. The students collaborated with their business partner and two local film producers from the National Film board and from Rogers Television to assist with their DVD. They visited an actual television studio to experience firsthand the technical aspects of filming and editing!
Proceeds from DVD sales were given to CIVS (Children`s International Summer Village) and refugee families in the Fredericton area through the Multicultural Association of Fredericton and used to establish a bursary to help a deserving child enhance leadership skills by participating in this international program.
Students creativity and resources of all participants to implement their venture and act as agents of change in their school or community.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Originality Award - “Worldwide Water”
Chebucto Heights Elementary School, Halifax Regional School Board
Teacher: Valerie Dockendorff
Business Partner: Jason MacDonald, Atlantic Employment Services
Grade 6 students were inspired when they learned of a 6 year old Canadian boy who raised money to build a well in a Ugandan village, but they were not convinced that kids and their ideas really mattered. The students set out to create something that would contribute to Ryan Hreljac’s Foundation, while educating the school community on the importance of water conservation. Throughout, the students initiated ideas, confronted challenges, solved problems, and rose to the occasion in ways they did not dream were possible. Most important of all, they learned that they can and do make a difference: “People thought no one listened to us because we are kids and didn’t know anything, but now we can make a difference around the world and teach people about water conservation here in the community. “ Now that’s inspirational!
Calgary, Alberta
Impact Award - “Every Penny Counts”
Edgemont School, Calgary Board of Education
Teachers: Siobhan Doherty, Heddy Gilbert, Anna Moore, Peter Rowe, Erin Shukin and Michael Thomas
Business Partners: Weidong Guo, Bank of Montreal
After hearing a presentation by the Red Cross on the recent crises in Haiti and Tibet, students banded together to create a truly collaborative Entrepreneurial Adventure. The students brainstormed many ideas and chose to run a carnival as their fundraiser. The Grade 6 students worked hand-in-hand with their protégés from Grade 3. With over 150 students involved in the project, the older students led in their managerial positions and acted as mentors for their younger counterparts. When the Carnival day arrived, every student from Grades 3 and 6 worked efficiently with one another to set up, run, dismantle the entire Carnival and then count profits. Not only did it run flawlessly, but it helped to bring together the students, the teachers, the project partners, and the community for a fun and exciting day in support of The Red Cross.
Impact Award- “Rundle EA”
Rundle Elementary School, Calgary Board of Education
Teachers: Rico Au, Shauna McHardy, Nicole Martell and Nick Uppal
Business Partner: Rendhir Chandran, Bank of Montreal
Rundle EA embarked on three different ventures to support cancer research. The first venture was a school-wide Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament in which students of all grades were encouraged to participate. The next venture was an M & M contest, in which students had to estimate the number of M &Ms in a glass jar and then wrapped up their school year with their very first “Rundle Shave-A-Lid event.” Three teachers and three students volunteered to have their heads shaved by three volunteer-head-shavers, one of whom was their BMO business partner! Rundle EA raised over $2,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society. Business partner Rendhir Chandran noted that, “From my perspective, the entire year was a truly amazing experience…I truly learned that when you act with sincere passion and enthusiasm, the results are always successful.”
Originality Award- “Upcycling Entrepreneurs”
University School, Calgary Board of Education
Teachers: Chris Blais and Naomi Terner
Business Partner: Devon Dvorak, Bank of Montreal
This group’s study of waste in our world led them to find creative solutions to the consumption and handling of waste. Their objective was to create awareness of upcycling as a viable alternative to landfill disposal. Artist Tracy Franks worked with them to create beautiful, meaningful artifacts. Students created blueprints of their designs prior to a one-on-one session with her where she made recommendations on how to reinforce their products to make them more durable. Examples included an end table made from discarded speakers and a CD player, jewelry made from wire, and re-useable Kool-Aid Jammer bags. Wendy Passmore-Godfrey, a local puppeteer, also worked with students on creating Rahasthani puppets to teach the messages of upcycling. They performed Rajhasthani puppetry skits, served authentic Indian cuisine, and auctioned their upcycling products to raise money for Vashan Ashram School in India.
Enterprising Spirit Award - “Calendars for Cats (& Dogs too)!!”
Louis Riel School, Calgary Board of Education
Teachers: Chris Coomber and Katrina Watson
Business Partner: Udeshika Wijayanayaka, Bank of Montreal
Talk about learning new skills! To support the Calgary Humane Society, these grade three & four classes teamed up to create a photo calendar of their own pets with relevant dates and events for their school. Students engaged in a teleconference with their business partner to learn about marketing, advertising and have an introduction into the financial world. They also learned photography skills such as the rule of thirds in digital photography. Using their new knowledge, the students promoted their calendars through posters, presentations, announcements and word of mouth. Over 130 calendars were sold! For the teachers, “success” was defined as the full engagement of every one of their learners, and the ease with which they were able to tie core aspects of the curriculum (math, social studies, language arts, fine arts) into every single EA discussion.
Greater Toronto Area
Judges’ Choice: Honourable Mention Award - “Come Fly With Me”
Humber Summit Middle School, Toronto District School Board
Teacher: Damien Mendez
Business Partner: Max Rutherford, MJR Systems Inc.
Humber Summit's Young Entrepreneurs decided upon a kite flying competition after brainstorming ideas that would draw the interest of both student genders, be affordable, incorporate the art and science curriculum, and raise the profile of the school. On “Kite Day”, for a nominal fee, registrants received a basic kite kit which they improved upon and submitted for consideration in one of three categories. A panel of judges determined the winner in each category and awarded prizes. Fund raising defrayed the cost of materials, prizes, and the event. A portion of proceeds raised were applied to KIVA, an organization that helps developing countries invest in small enterprises. This venture has made a lasting impression on the students involved. As one student said, “I have learned I could make an event as big as this one a reality. I now believe that anything in life is achievable, but you have to want it and take action!”
Teamwork Category Award - “Rolph Road Smile Packs”
Rolph Road School, Toronto District School Board
Teachers: Jill Kemp and Lauren Lazar
Business Partners: Tulla Bateman-Parkin, Tennis Canada and Kathryn Exon, BMO Financial Group
Students at Rolph Road wanted to bring smiles to the faces of children in isolation at the Hospital for Sick Children who aren’t able to see friends or relatives or play with each other. The students' goal was to create 100 "Smile Packs" containing books, toys, crafts and other items for these children. The students solicited donations for some items in the packs from members of the community and local corporations, and raised the rest of the money by hosting a film festival. "The Rolph Road Smile Packs Film Festival" showcased five original films that the students created. Students sold Film Festival admission tickets to members of the school and community, and arranged all of the advertising, snacks and logistics for the event. Over 350 people attended the evening. The students raised $3,000, far exceeding the students’ goal of $1000!
Grand Erie District School Board Self-Directed Program
Judges’ Choice Award - “2010 Cougar Campout”
Coronation Public School, Grand Erie District School Board
Teacher: Michaela Kargus
Business Partner: Michelle Kwasnik, The Fitness Centre
This group of industrious students decided to create the “sleepover of the century”. The goal was to give their customers a safe and fun place to have a sleepover with their friends where they could access activities all night long with no parents telling them they had to “get some sleep!” The 2010 Cougar Campout, an overnight campout, was held at the school and included a Reptile Show, video game tournaments on the big screen, dodge-ball, floor hockey and ghost tournaments in the gym. The class divided into teams including sales and marketing, finance, catering, games and dance, sports, movie, video games and web. Business partner, Michelle Kwasnik, helped the class develop initial business proposals and proper execution through to the final event. The event raised $500.00 for Free the Children. Coronation Public school is in the Grand Erie District School Board that has become a self-directed hub for the EA program.
Ottawa Ontario
Judges' Choice Award - “Stand Up In The Crowd! Be Cool, Stay in School”
Henry Munro Middle School, Ottawa Carleton District School Board
Teacher: Lucie Morin
Business Partner: Nicole Goodfellow, Canada Post Corporation
As young teenagers, these French Immersion students felt strongly that they had a moral and social responsibility towards their peers who might be struggling with drug addiction, lack of self esteem, lack of support, peer pressure and become dropouts. The students created one of a kind, hand-designed buttons with inspirational slogans that reinforced the project’s theme. In line with their theme of staying in school, students targeted a homework club managed by the Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre that is attended by many of the school’s students. The students raised money to purchase a computer for the homework club. Great care was taken in selecting this organization where they could feel and see how their hard work paid off. The community centre and homework club services families and teens from all social, ethnic and economic strata in the community – a feature characteristic of the class itself. Indeed the cause bridged social divides between these 20 young teens.
Enterprising Spirit Award - “A Night at the Oscars”
Castlefrank Elementary School, Ottawa Carleton District School Board
Teacher: Barbara Robertson, Wendy Hyde
Business Partner: Gordon Ferguson, Executive, (Retired) Canada Post Corporation
These Grade 8 students wanted to mark their departure from elementary school into High School and share with the community an insight into their lives. They built an evening that celebrated the art of film and youth by writing, filming, and producing a documentary movie about being an adolescent and premiering it at an “Oscar” night. The students’ chosen charity had a very deep, personal connection a classmate. After hearing how their classmate lives with a parent who is coping with Systemic Scleroderma, and listening to her parent share her story and describe her daily struggles, then learning how little funding there was for research into cures and treatment of Scleroderma, the decision was unanimous. The majority of this class has been together since Kindergarten and they knew they truly needed to help their friend and classmate in this small way.
Teamwork Award - “T2K (Teens To Kids) Mentoring Program”
Castor Valley Elementary School, Ottawa Carleton District School Board
Teacher: Angie Bickmore
Business Partner: Patrick Brewster, Bank of Montreal
Basing the thrust of this venture on the board's statement that, “A quality education is about more than academic achievement – it is about the development of the whole person,” the students set out to create a "company" that upheld the statement through a mentoring program for younger classes in a less fortunate inner-city school in their school board. The students planned visits throughout the year that reflected the key character traits, such as cooperation, perseverance, and leadership. They led fun and educational activities, made and provided large snacks to share, presented dramatic presentations, and spent quality time interacting with the younger classes. Teacher Angie Bickmore stated, “Through this program the students have become true global citizens and are now aware not only of their good fortune in life, but know their responsibility to share it with others at every opportunity.”