By Anne Russell. Three schools in the Fraser Valley are celebrating big wins in the University of the Fraser Valley’s first-ever ChatterHigh competition. The students of Rick Hansen Secondary, Hope Secondary, and Chilliwack Senior Secondary have earned their school not only bragging rights, but prize money as well. Rick Hansen students took home first place and a cheque for $1,250. Hope Secondary earned second place and $750 while Chilliwack Secondary says it will use its third-place winnings of $500 to help fund graduation events.
UFV recently partnered with ChatterHigh, a newly created website designed with one primary focus — to help students learn more about the post-secondary options available in BC. The twist? To add an element of fun and friendly competition between local schools UFV’s recruitment team decided to put some prize money on the line. Students in the five Fraser Valley school districts were invited to participate on the ChatterHigh website by answering quiz questions and earning points for correct answers.
The quiz questions include everything from “What is the UFV mascot?” (a sasquatch named Sas’qets) to “Name one program based on the Chilliwack campus” (for example nursing, theatre, agriculture or welding). If students aren’t sure of an answer they have the option to click on a link directing them to a specific area of the UFV website.
It’s a great way to introduce Grade 10 students to the post-secondary options that are offered at UFV and a way for Grade 11 and 12 students to find specific program information, admission requirements or events happening on campus, according to UFV Student Recruitment coordinator Daniel Goertz. Planning 10 and Graduation Transitions teachers can use the ChatterHigh website as a tool in their classroom to promote self-guided exploration and prompt discussion about what the students find online.
“With these quizzes our goal is to show students that navigating university websites doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming; it can actually be fun,” says Goertz. “Of course, a little cash never hurts either!”
The competition was open from October to November and was a huge success. Goertz, along with recruiter Holly Zonneveld, handed out giant oversized cheques to the winners recently.