Student projects at South Meridian Elementary that have changed the way people look at recycled materials could also win the school money.
The school is a contender in Science World’s BC Green Games, which invites kindergarten to Grade 12 students to design creative solutions to environmental challenges in their schools or communities.
South Meridian is one of four Surrey schools – including Erma Stephenson Elementary, Henry Bose Elementary and Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary – up for a chance to win $500 in the competition’s Viewer’s Choice Awards (visit www.bcgreengames.ca). Another 20 winning projects will be decided by a team of judges, with around $20,000 in prizes.
South Meridian’s recycling initiative started before Christmas, when the Green Dolphins – a branch of the school’s Spirit Club that deals with environmental issues – encouraged students’ families to use recycled materials to wrap gifts.
The school went on to host a successful Christmas craft fair, where students collected signatures from those pledging to use recycled wrap or gift bags, and hosted an event in which students could make their own decorative wrap to take home.
In January, the school had an “Art Attack Day,” inviting students to contribute to a large mural made of recyclables.
“We had far more kids than we ever thought we’d have,” club sponsor Lynn Roe said.
“Out of that, they decided they would try to get teachers to sponsor classrooms to do projects themselves out of recycled materials.”
The creations – including 3D projects made from cereal boxes and an ocean mural made from two-litre pop bottles – were showcased at a Feb. 23 Creativity Fair.
“Next year we will be able to find something that’s equally impactful,” Roe said, noting students took the challenge to a new level. “It had such a great response and so many people did just amazing things that were beyond just the usual.”