Competitive advantage

Parents often tell their children that being competitive is a bad thing. In David Gabel and Rudra Subedar's opinion, that just isn't so.

Mr. Gabel from British Columbia and Mr. Subedar from Manitoba are both big fans of competitive events, such as science fairs and the Science Olympics, that bring students together to match their wits and skills against those of their peers. These events offer all sorts of benefits to the students: they learn to focus their ideas and energies, to research a subject thoroughly, to work in teams, and to participate in fun activities outside the classroom. And, if a little glory comes their way in the form of a ribbon or medal, well, that's okay too.

• Creating and maintaining a culture of excellence

  David Gabel
  Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
  Vancouver, British Columbia

• Building a science fair program

  Rudra Subedar
  Austin Elementary School
  Austin, Manitoba

• Two teachers talk about competition

  David Gabel and Rudra Subedar