On December 17, 2024, the Community Environmental Leadership Program (CELP) will be hosting 150 Grade 9 students at the University of Guelph Arboretum Centre for the first-ever Grade 9 Climate Showdown.
This day is being planned by Grade 10 CELP students and their teachers as part of their curriculum in Science, Civics and Interdisciplinary Studies and is funded by the Youth Climate Action Grant from the City of Guelph.
Grade 9 student teams from Geography classes at three Guelph high schools - John F. Ross CVI, Guelph CVI and Centennial CVI - will compete in hands-on team challenges around the Arboretum on food waste, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, sustainable transportation, raising their voices, invasive species, native tree ID, local climate issues and solutions, and a slackline teamwork challenge. Points will be awarded by local celebrity judges from community groups and City departments that have been working on climate issues in our community.
Guelph’s MPP Mike Schreiner will be addressing the students on the importance of taking climate change action.
During lunch, teams will have the opportunity to earn more points by visiting the Climate Fair to learn about how to act on climate change issues in Guelph. Organizations in attendance at the Climate Fair include the Guelph Climate Action Network, Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation, City of Guelph Transportation Services Department, Emerge Guelph, 10C United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Coordinator, Yorklands Green Hub, Trees for Guelph, City of Guelph Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes Department, Guelph Tool Library, City of Guelph Energy and Climate Change Department, Trout Unlimited, Youth Voices of Ontario, and Seniors for Climate Action Now.