Jun. 25, 2026
This spring marked an inspiring season of learning and achievement for students at Discovering Choices, as both Northgate and Downtown campuses wrapped up impactful, hands-on projects that blended education with real-world experience and community engagement.
"The impact of these experiences goes far beyond the classroom," says Patrick Tomczyk, principal of Discovering Choices. "Students developed essential life skills such as empathy, leadership, and social awareness, while discovering their own capacity to contribute positively to society."
Future City Builders
At Discovering Choices Northgate, students stepped into a five-day immersive learning experience focused on sustainability and urban planning. The project brought municipal government to life, offering students the rare opportunity to engage directly with influential city leaders and professionals.
Highlights included visits and discussions with Mayor Jeromy Farkas, City Councillor Andre Chabot, members of the Indigenous Relations team, city planners, and representatives from Calgary Arts Development. These interactions gave students valuable insight into how Calgary operates — from decision-making processes to community development and sustainability initiatives.
Armed with this firsthand knowledge, students tackled real urban challenges facing Calgary. They selected issues that resonated with them personally and worked collaboratively to research innovative, sustainable solutions. Creativity played a central role as students designed their own city plans using eco-friendly, plant-based paints — a nod to the environmentally conscious theme of the project.
The learning experience culminated in a vibrant gallery walk, where students proudly showcased their work to peers and staff.
This month-long interdisciplinary initiative drew on multiple subject areas and allowed students to earn up to 15 Environmental Stewardship credits. More importantly, it empowered them to deepen their understanding of sustainability, civic responsibility, and the impact of thoughtful urban planning.
Day in the Life
Meanwhile, students at Discovering Choices Downtown were making a difference in another meaningful way through their participation in Seed School, a community-based learning program in partnership with The Mustard Seed.
Through immersive activities like a “Day in the Life” simulation and a poverty budgeting challenge, students gained insight into the daily realities faced by vulnerable populations. Guest speakers with frontline experience also shared honest perspectives and shed some light on career pathways in social services and community support.
Motivated by what they learned, students turned compassion into action. They organized a clothing drive benefiting the Good Neighbour Community Market and hosted a bake sale in support of Healthy Child YYC.
"Together, the projects at Northgate and Downtown campuses highlight the power of experiential learning," says Principal Tomczyk. "Whether designing sustainable cities or supporting vulnerable community members, Discovering Choices students are proving that education can inspire meaningful change and that young people are ready to lead the way."
