4th of July Parade
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This summer, Project Earth walked in the 4th of July parade to promote solar energy! We spent a couple weeks building the float, which included real solar panels. The base of the float is a canoe on a trailer which is being pulled by a bike. The solar panels are held up by a wood base and we recycled cardboard from around the house for the signage. While it rained at the beginning of the parade, the float held up well and we received many compliments at the parade. As we walked, we passed out windmills promoting Wind Source with the Edina Energy and Environment Commission.
At the parade, we met with Representative Erik Paulsen, who recently joined the Climate Solutions Caucus!
CC and Caroline working hard on the float!
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Tom, from Yes! pulling the float. Thank you Yes! for helping with the float.
Elena, Madeline, Caroline, and Caroline painting the reused cardboard.
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Waste at EHS
Waste Sort
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In December 2017, we did a waste sort of the bins in the cafeteria. We found that we were 48.17% accurate. The biggest issue was that 83% of what was in the trash bins is compostable or recyclable. We also noticed that there were a lot of plastic bags in the trash. Due to these results, we decided to create a video to show the school about recycling and composting. We also made posters to hang about the cans to remind people what should go in what bin. Finally, we decided to implement plastic bag recycling.
Hope for ImprovementIn hopes of improving EHS' lack of waste sorting, Project Earth dedicated hours to recreating waste posters for the cafeteria and commons. The posters were more specific by including the same utensils and containers used by the cafeteria. Many students were surprised to discover that with the exception of the waxy "boat", everything used in school lunches can be either recycled or composted. This is a common misconception as the containers seem to be plastic.
CC and Morgan proudly display their poster.
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The brave waste sort team: Morgan, Natalie, Elena, Lulu, Frank, and Collin.
Collin and Frank investigate to distinguish which items were suppose to be in recycling, composting, or trash.
Natalie and Caroline hold their poster up with a smile.
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New Year, New Ideas
Parachutes for the Planet
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Another amazing project we did was Parachutes for the Planet. Everyone drew or wrote something about the environment and climate change that they find important on the parachute. In July and October, all the parachutes from around the country will be collected and displayed in Washington DC to raise awareness on climate change. We made two parachutes, one at a Saving Snow presentation and the other at the Youth Climate Summit!
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Saving Snow Documentary
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Saving Snow is a documentary about the affect of climate change on snow. Cool Planet Director Paul Thompson's story is highlighted in the documentary/ He is a cross country skier who has skied in currently 40 Birkebeiners. There were multiple screenings in different locations and after each screening there was a panel held to discuss the documentary and climate change.
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Buckthorn Removal
Our first project of the school year 2017 was to remove buckthorn. Buckthorn is an invasive species that poses a great threat to Minnesota's native plants. Project Earth decided to join the battle by helping the Earth fight against the dangerous buckthorn.
Lots of buckthorn = lots of success!
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The team that fought buckthorn: CC, Madeleine, Elena, Natalie, Sarah, Clara, Nicole, and Caroline. In the back: Paul, Frank, and Collin.
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