Fifth-grade students from Central spent several weeks researching the importance of recycling. Central prides itself on being STEM certified through the state of Indiana and this ensures students are building employability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills through our STEM certification. This project and grant were 100% student-led. Students were given the following task: create a recycling program at Central. Students used the design thinking process and STEM to create their program.
Step 1: Define the problem. Mr. Boltinghouse (building engineer) reports the existing problems are: Garbage is thrown into the recycling bins, not enough recycling bins, and recycling bins were too full which made them difficult to lift.
Step 2: Your task. Work with your group to create a new recycling plan for Central.
Step 3: Criteria. An idea for educating staff and students about what can be recycled, a way to keep the recycling from being contaminated, a solution for how to regularly empty the receptacles, and a breakdown of how the grant will be used.
After reviewing several student presentations on recycling at Central, many groups have agreed that the most effective way to monitor recycling was to create a recycling club at Central. 5th-grade students will empty recycling bins twice a week. This is done at arrival time or recess time. 5th-grade students will be responsible for monitoring the levels of recycling. 5th-grade teacher, Mrs. Harris is the club sponsor and has helped get this great program off the ground for our school! The recycling items purchased were made possible through Hendricks County Recycling District.
