Issue Investigation: Waste No More!
New Year's Resolution: Create no trash.
Doh! So hard to do!
However, encouraging a group of Club kids to develop a waste management system for the Club can lead to significant successes. As the kids become leaders in the Club community and their work visibly reduces Club waste, they gain confidence and self-efficacy. And this will enable them to investigate and solve environmental issues in the future. Let the kids lead, experiment, and work as a team as you offer support and guidance.
Activities:
Trash Detectives
Kids can sort through trash cans to discover the percentage of compostable, reusable, and recyclable materials (Hey a math lesson too!). This information will frame the issue. Does the building need more compost and recycling bins? Does the Club community need more information or encouragement? What is the problem and how can it be solved? This activity can be done periodically throughout the year to measure success. Tip: dump trash cans out onto a tarp and provide everyone with gloves.
More activities and ideas can be found here: http://www.greeningschools.org/resources/view_cat_teacher.cfm?id=79
More activities and ideas can be found here: http://www.greeningschools.org/resources/view_cat_teacher.cfm?id=79
Communication and Marketing
Signs and labels can educate and motivate the Club community to recycle or compost. What should the signs look like? Kids can do research on the internet and think about signs they may have seen at their school or in restaurants. Make signs and labels using the computer, with pens and paper, photographs, or paint. Maybe a kid cartoonist can draw a mascot for the program. Incentives can be thought of for rooms or groups that reduce the amount of waste produced. Flyers, stickers, and information can be given to kids and families. Go to the Seattle Public Utilities page for posters you can print.
Public Service Announcements
After the kids have thoroughly investigated the problem, reflected on why it is important to solve, and developed some solutions, it is time for them to share their knowledge. The kids can deliver a presentation for the entire Club, host an educational event fair, or make a PSA that can air on Club computers and be given to families.
The Mercer Island Compost Heroes created the Where Does It Go? Game Show to present information to the Club.
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Joel E. Smilow Club at Rainier Vista kids worked with SCAN Youth Media to make a recycling PSA, learning videography in the process. If your Club does not have a video camera, you can borrow one from the CSC; ask Erin or Rachel.
The Mercer Island Compost Heroes created the Where Does It Go? Game Show to present information to the Club.
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Joel E. Smilow Club at Rainier Vista kids worked with SCAN Youth Media to make a recycling PSA, learning videography in the process. If your Club does not have a video camera, you can borrow one from the CSC; ask Erin or Rachel.
Recycling may not fully solve all our environmental issues. But! It is a way for kids to affect visible positive change. If they research the problem, become invested in developing a solution, and achieve results, they gain an experience rarely encountered in school or home life. The experiences and skills developed will encourage kids to use innovative thinking to find solutions in the future.
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