Local students ending plastic pollution one cap at a time
What started out as a typical lesson on our impact on the environment turned into a unique piece of art.
"We each made an eco-footprint plan which means we basically had a plan to recycle or pick up plastic on the beach or something, and then we wanted to make something more so we decided to make this capstone project," says Salisbury Middle School student, Aarna Lulla.
A couple dozen sixth grade Salisbury Middle School students with the guidance of their teacher 'Dr. P' spent six months researching, designing, and collecting hundreds of plastic bottle caps to create artwork.
The purpose behind the design is to to bring awareness to the dangers of plastic pollution.
"You look at all those caps you're like' oh that's very beautiful, that's nice' but then when you actually break it down to 'Alright that cap if it's not up there it could be out in the yard, it could be on the street.' Is it being recycled properly, do people even know about that?' So the idea of having the kids learn this and be informed and just carrying that message out and sharing it," explains Dr. Chad Pavlekovich, better known as 'Dr. P', and middle school science teacher.
The good thing, that's exactly what they're doing.
"I always see plastic everywhere and I always think about what's going to happen if its left out longer," says sixth grader Delanie Earp.
The art's designer, sixth grader, Taylor Rybyzynske explains, "I hope now that people see this, they realize what they're doing and then they'll help us also to provide a better future."
Dr. P hopes this project creates a lifelong impact.
"I'm hoping 30 years from now some way shape or form this project is going to influence them. Whether it's the changing on their lifestyle and how to recycle or maybe somebody is working at a level where they are able to make changes in policy or procedure or be a teacher like myself informing the next generation of kids."
He plans to build on this project by looking at creating their own action plan like a recycling program for the school that will later be adopted by other students and classrooms.
