During the Centre’s Scientific Research Conference on March 12-13, 2015, IC-IMPACTS was proud to announce that high school students David Nguyen of University Hill Secondary and Haley Bonner of White Rock Christian Academy received the top prize in the Ganga River Essay Competition.
David and Haley both tied for 1st place – each receiving $1000 as a cash prize. Melanie Sawatzky of Rick Hansen Secondary School placed 3rd receiving $500, and Grace Fraser of Ballenas Secondary School received a certificate as a finalist in the competition.
All four students were selected as finalists after submitting an essay that proposed a solution to restore the Ganga River in India. The finalists were then tasked to present their solution in a poster format in front of leading researchers, industry experts, government representatives, and community members at the IC-IMPACTS Scientific Research Conference.
In partnership with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, IC-IMPACTS launched the essay competition to inspire young BC high school students to think globally and build skills in critical thinking and public speaking. Grace Fraser, a finalist in the competition noted “This was the first time I’ve ever had to use references in an essay, it was definitely a new skill I learned.”
Laura McDonald, a teacher at Rick Hansen Secondary School was inspired by the competition and created a unit plan around the topic for her entire class. “The students had a very positive reaction to the competition! They were so motivated that they became the teacher, informing me of facts and figures that I had not known. We ended up learning about the Ganga River and the issues surrounding it together as a class.”
IC-IMPACTS CEO Dr. Nemy Banthia and Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Program Manager Erin Williams presented David and Haley with certificates, cheques, and an etched glass globe for their innovative global thinking.
2024 IC-IMPACTS Conference in Delhi December 9 - 11, 2024 New Delhi, India
