The Environmental Olympiad: Where Kids’ Eco-Wars Meet Serious Sustainability
Well, folks, gather ’round because it’s time for a bit of a reality check! San Antonio has just wrapped up the 15th edition of its Environmental Olympiad, and boy, were there enough eco-friendly shenanigans to power a small city! This event brought together boys and girls from 14 educational establishments—and yes, I checked, they didn’t just print fancy certificates for participating (though I wouldn’t put it past them).
Cream of the Crop (Or Should We Say, Compost of the Crop?)
This grand finale wasn’t just a bunch of kids throwing biodegradable confetti; it showcased the brightest environmental minds in our community! The audience included company representatives, a dedicated team from the Department of Environment, and even local authorities. You know it’s a big deal when the mayor, Cristhian Guerra himself, turns up to splash a bit of enthusiasm around. He proclaimed, “We believe that these initiatives have to be maintained over time…” That’s code for “We’re making this an annual thing, folks!”
Engaging with the Environment
Why do we care about kids learning eco-friendly behaviors? Because, believe it or not, they might be the ones to save the planet—while we’re busy arguing over what the new iPhone can do. Guerra, like a true environmental warrior, emphasized that teaching kids about climate change and responsible pet ownership is the way forward. If only we’d had the “responsible pet ownership” category back in the day; half our pets would still be around today!
It Takes a Village (and Some Companies)
Oh, and a special shout-out to the various companies that partnered up for this green initiative: QC Terminales, Puerto Panul, and a delightful band of eco-enthusiasts. Who knew that corporate sponsorship could be good for the planet? Talk about a twist! Manuel Meza, a council member, even hopped on the thank-you train, applauding hard-working teachers, parents, and students. Bravo! Now can we apply this collaborative spirit to getting our kids to eat their broccoli?
Innovative Categories – Because Why Not?
Innovate they did! The Olympiad isn’t just about planting trees and making posters. They introduced the “influencer teacher” and “storytellers” categories. Could this be the start of a new trend? Watch out, TikTok! A storytelling influencer teacher could be on the verge of environmental fame—finally, a reason to brush off those dusty old textbooks!
But Wait, There’s Music (And Mayhem!)
If you thought the excitement ended there, think again! The event was brought to a close with a performance by a music workshop from the Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda School, led by the incredibly talented Kike Galdames. It was so good that I’d almost forget I was there to hear about recycling and not some Eurovision entry! Who knew environmental consciousness could come with a side of catchy tunes?
A Standing Ovation for Our Eco-Champions
Now, let’s give a round of applause to our little eco-warriors! Here are the results from various categories that definitely sounded great on paper:
Responsible Pet Parenting (I am Forever)
- 1st: León Quiroz, José Luis Norris School
- 2nd: Marihan Espinoza, Santo Tomás de las Acacias School
- 3rd: Ashly Ríos, Santo Tomás de las Acacias School
Children’s Stories about the Biodiversity of the Commune
- 1st: Peter Pan Pre-Basic School
- 2nd: Rayito de Sol Kindergarten
- 3rd: Santo Tomás de las Acacias School
Influencer Teacher Category
- Winners: Maureen Díaz (Huidobro Poet School) and Antonia Petey (South Pacific Maritime Commercial Institute)
Environmental Knowledge (5th to 7th Grade)
- 1st: Port Institute
- 2nd: José Luis Norris School
- 3rd: San José de Calasanz School
Environmental Knowledge (8th to 2nd Grade)
- 1st: Port Institute
- 2nd: South Pacific Maritime Commercial Institute
- 3rd: Port Mobilizers School
The recent conclusion of the 15th iteration of the Environmental Olympiad was marked by notable success, showcasing the enthusiasm and commitment of young participants from 14 diverse educational establishments located in the vibrant commune of San Antonio.
Amidst a festive atmosphere, the event welcomed an array of attendees, including representatives from educational communities, local businesses, and key stakeholders such as the Department of Environment, Cleanliness and Decoration (DIMAO) and the Municipal Education Department (DAEM). Esteemed authorities and various distinguished guests from San Antonio also graced the occasion with their presence.
Among those in attendance was Cristhian Guerra, the acting mayor of San Antonio, who expressed heartfelt sentiments regarding the event’s success. “We are very happy as a municipality to close this Olympics that had an excellent participation,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of initiatives like this in fostering awareness among children and adolescents. He emphasized that such programs are crucial for educating the youth on environmental care, the repercussions of climate change, sustainability, and responsible pet ownership.
During his remarks, Guerra extended his gratitude on behalf of the municipality to the participating educational communities and acknowledged the valuable contributions of local companies such as QC Terminales, Puerto Panul, STI, Siglo Verde, Casa Javer, SINEC, and Liberat Mart Reciclaje.
Councilor Manuel Meza also took the opportunity to commend the dedicated efforts of the DIMAO team for their unwavering commitment to environmental certifications and achievements. He recognized the hard work of teachers, parents, and students, expressing hope that the collaboration with businesses engaged in environmental initiatives will continue to thrive.
In addition, Francisco Valenzuela, the director of DIMAO of San Antonio, shared insights into the evolving nature of the Olympiad. “Over the years we always try to innovate,” he noted, adding that they have maintained the core theme of environmental knowledge while incorporating impactful new categories, including an influencer teacher segment and storytelling initiatives featuring artistic performances by preschool children.
Adding to the event’s charm, attendees were treated to an impressive performance by the music workshop from the Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda School, led by the well-known San Antonio musician and educator Kike Galdames. The students delivered a delightful musical experience that captivated the audience.
The results of the various competition categories revealed the following achievements:
Category “I am Forever”, responsible possession of minors
1st place: León Quiroz, José Luis Norris school
2nd place: Marihan Espinoza, Santo Tomás de las Acacias school
3rd place: Ashly Ríos, Santo Tomás de las Acacias school
Category Children’s Stories about the Biodiversity of the Commune
1st place: Peter Pan Pre-Basic School
2nd place: Rayito de Sol Kindergarten
3rd place: Santo Tomás de las Acacias School.
Influencer teacher category
Winners: Maureen Díaz from the Huidobro Poet School
Antonia Petey of the South Pacific Maritime Commercial Institute
Environmental Knowledge Category from 5th to 7th grade
1st place: Port Institute
2nd place: José Luis Norris School
3rd place: San José de Calasanz School
Environmental Knowledge Category from 8th to 2nd grade
1st place: Port Institute
2nd place: South Pacific Maritime Commercial Institute
3rd place: Port Mobilizers School
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Landscape of environmental education, emphasizing the importance of integrating eco-friendly practices within school curricula. He noted that the 15th Environmental Olympiad serves as a perfect example of how community engagement can lead to meaningful changes in attitudes toward sustainability.
The Olympiad featured an array of activities aiming to cultivate children’s understanding of biodiversity and environmental protection. Not only did students showcase their knowledge through various competitions, but they also participated in hands-on workshops and collaborative projects designed to inspire a long-term commitment to caring for the planet.
One of the highlights of the event included the introduction of new categories, such as those for “influencer teachers” and “storytellers,” which aimed to harness the power of social media and narrative to engage with environmental themes. This innovative approach aligns well with current trends in education where storytelling and digital influence are becoming increasingly important as teaching tools.
As the festivities unfolded, there were performances and presentations that combined art and environmental education. Notably, the musical contribution from the students of Presidente Pedro Aguirre Cerda School added a vibrant touch to the event, transforming a serious topic into a celebration of creativity and ecological awareness.
The climax of the event was the awards ceremony, where students from various educational institutions were recognized for their contributions in categories ranging from responsible pet ownership to environmental knowledge. The enthusiastic participation of schools such as the Port Institute and Santo Tomás de las Acacias School was especially commendable, demonstrating that the commitment to environmental stewardship is alive and well among the next generation.
the 15th Environmental Olympiad was a resounding success and a testament to the efforts of students, educators, local businesses, and municipal authorities. It serves as a reminder that nurturing a new generation of eco-conscious individuals is not only possible but also vital. As we look forward to the next event, the hope is for even greater collaboration and creativity in promoting sustainability through engaging educational formats. Until then, the call to action remains: let’s all strive to be better stewards of the earth, one eco-friendly step at a time!
