Biodiversity competition: the first edition at secondary school
Whilst the biodiversity competition, organised by the Association for the Management of the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve (AGRNSM), has been running in primary schools for the past two years, the very first edition aimed at secondary school pupils took place on Tuesday.
Four secondary schools on the island were represented at this event, which focused on environmental knowledge and awareness: Mont des Accords, Victor Hugo, Roche Gravée de Moho and, finally, Soualiga Secondary School, which hosted this first edition of the competition on its premises. The pupils competed in an educational game specially designed by the AGRNSM, putting their knowledge of Saint Martin’s biodiversity, its iconic species, its natural habitats and the challenges associated with their conservation to the test. The standard of competition was deemed particularly impressive by the Reserve’s supervisors. Indeed, the teams from the four schools demonstrated an excellent grasp of the topics covered, with an average of over 90 per cent correct answers. This performance reflects the interest of young people in Saint Martin in the richness of their natural heritage and the efforts made by teaching staff to raise pupils’ awareness of environmental issues. But as in any competition, there is a winner, and it was Collège Mont des Accords that clinched victory, narrowly beating its rivals in the final rounds.
Building on this success, the Saint Martin Biodiversity Competition is now set to become a permanent fixture in the local educational landscape and to continue promoting, amongst younger generations, an understanding of and commitment to protecting the island’s exceptional natural heritage.
