Skills Ontario is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in a novel way.

It has invited students to show off their best work in the skilled trades at home to meet a variety of challenges. Students are invited to record videos of their submissions, and share them to social media using the hashtag #SkillsAtHome. The best projects will be awarded prizes.

“These are extraordinary times,” says Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario. “Skills Ontario works to provide youth and their parents/guardians opportunities to explore skilled trades and tech through the challenging circumstances we’re facing. Through this social media initiative, our goal is to ensure that our many audiences can continue to learn about skilled trades and technologies through fun, experiential learning, all while staying safe at home.”

In the initial challenge, participants are asked to build rollercoasters from household supplies. Their aim is to keep a ball in motion for more than five seconds without letting it touch the floor. The challenge tests skills in the motive power, transportation and construction sectors.

Skills Ontario staff will judge video entries based on the length of the track and the amount of social media interactions on the tweet submissions, as well as creativity, visual appeal, and construction.

All challenge details can be found at skillsontario.com/skillsathome.