A Prince Edward Island school has been chosen to receive one of two grand prizes for the national Olympic Showcase project, said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
“I am very proud of all Island schools for showing their Olympic spirit by participating in Project Showcase,” said Minister Currie. “The fact that Island schools showcased more projects on the Vancouver 2010 website than any other province in Canada except for the host province of British Columbia is commendable. I would like to send out special congratulations to the students and staff at West Kent Elementary School who were chosen as grand prize winners.”
West Kent Elementary was chosen, through a random draw, by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as one of two schools and classrooms across Canada to be awarded a grand prize package. The other school to win a prize package is located in Montreal, QC. As the lucky prize winners, West Kent School received a package that included:
• An Inukshuk, hand carved by Inuit artist Tim Ezikial
• A set of the official posters for the 2010 Winter Games
• A mascot stuffie pack
• An opening ceremonies kit
• A closing ceremonies kit
• Pins, stickers, postcards and posters used during the games.
Out of the 200 showcase projects posted to the Vancouver 2010 website, 44 were from Island schools. Island students participating in Project Showcase were encouraged to create special projects related to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games or the pillars of sport, culture and sustainability for the future and then post them to Project Showcase on the website.
“That Island schools were so engaged even though you are on the opposite side of the country speaks to the success of the games,” said Christina Adams, Manager of Education Programs for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Showcase projects included the development of a slide show, the demonstration of the cultural diversity of the student body, the creation of an Inukshuk, and bobsledding in the school corridors.
Project Showcase was created to increase student interest and excitement for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and to encourage and support teachers to use Vancouver 2010 as a timely theme for teaching and learning.
Projects were submitted from schools in every grade level, from all across PEI and in both English and French. To look at some of the fun activities students and teachers posted to the website, visit www.vancouver2010.com/education-programs. These projects will remain on the Vancouver 2010 website for two years.