Environmental Awareness for Kids

Goal:

• To educate youth the importance of recycling

Why:

• The acceptability of recycling bins are not enough. The people don't see the importance of recycling. The bins being there isn't enough. Most of the population is not educated of how much of an impact we can make. Simple education will give the individual enough drive to take a simple task as recycling and make it an action.

How:

• Target the youth
• Habits have to start young
•  Through school districts
• That's the best way to reach kids.
• pick a grade and visit annually ever class that comes through 
•  Pick activity's that will show the importance and how easy and fun it can be
• You have to connect with them on there level and make it memorable

 Out come:

• Getting out youth to see the importance of recycling 
• Have the youth get in the routine of recycling 
• Make recycling become a force of habit 

Problems:

• Kids get bored
• We will have hands on activities to keep there attention.  
• Kids parents not following threw
• Cant get them all. some people will never hear you no matter how loud you are  

Pretrial:

             I decided because I am really good with kids it would be easy for me to volunteer to teach a camp on a weekend that we were home.  We taught a summer camp about environmental awareness, gave them fun activities that help save the Earth by reducing, re-using and recycling, while providing them with ways they could talk to their parents about how to make their lives more compatible with nature.

            First I gave them a kid friendly lecture on what items can be recycled, re-used, and some things that can be either reduced or substituted for safer more green products.  Along with this lesson was an introduction to composting.  To test what they learned we played a game, the game involved a bunch of pictures (printed on recycled paper and laminated for re-use) and three categories that allowed the picture to be placed in.  There was the trash bin, a recycle bin and the compost bin.  Each Group of kids was given a handful of pictures and was to sort them into the cleanest form of waste management.  If they got it right they could choose a prize, if not they were allowed to find and correct their mistake to get a prize.

            After the initial lecture we introduced activities to the girls that were not only fun but helped the environment as well.  First we made bird feeders out of Orange Juice Cartons.  This helped to keep the cartons out of the dump and is friendly to nature, mainly the birds. Next we used broken pieces of crayon and melted them into molds to create new crayons.  Most crayons that get broken are thrown away but the wax doesn’t bio-degrade, so instead of throwing the pieces away we combined like colors melted them and poured them into molds so they could still be used.  Then, we moved onto Edible Play Dough which is a safer alternative for younger kids who will put anything into their mouths.  Also after it is done being played with it transitions right to snack time. Next, we made Toad Abodes, which took clay pots and paints, this gives toads a place to hide and live and beneficial because the control bug populations.  Finally we made recycled paper.  This activity was a hand on experience for the kids to learn about recycling, and re-using, and it was a fun way to help save some trees.

            After the activities were completed we gave them hand outs to take home with those activities and others they could do with their parents that were eco-friendly ways to occupy a child’s mind. 

            Through this experience we learned that the best way to change the way people think about going green is through children.  Habits are picked up as children and they can last a lifetime, and we should start by giving them the behaviors that will help the Earth early so more people will catch on.  I personally learned that going green is more than just recycling; it also involves teaching others and spreading the spirit of going green to more than just a classroom. Also I had learned that children grasp the idea better than most think, and that kids are the best way to influence multitudes of people.  Not only did the girls have fun learning how to be more green, they also talked to some of their parents about changing some of their less than eco-friendly habits.  People watching our program also took notice to some of the key points in the lecture and have changed some of their practices in trash management.

1. http://www.epa.state.il.us/kids/teachers/activities/crayons.html    
2. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/nature/bird-feeder.shtml                     
3. http://www.easy-child-crafts.com/play-dough-recipes.html          
4. http://www.education.com/activity/article/Build_Toad_Abode/ 
5. http://www.pioneerthinking.com/makingpaper.html         

Hand Out #1:

Making Handmade Paper in 10 Easy Steps

 

Paper Products That Can Be Used

• Computer Paper (unprinted)
• Newspaper (If you want a grayish colored paper)
• Magazines
• Egg Cartons
• Old Cards (For heavier paper)
• Toilet Paper
• Paper Bags
• Non Waxed Boxes
• Office Paper
• Tissue Paper (For finer paper)
• Typing Paper
• Napkins
• Construction Paper

Supplies you'll need:

·         Sponge

·         Window Screening (mold)

·         Wood Frame (old picture frame can be used too) (deckle)

·         Plastic Basin/Tub (Large enough to totally immerse frame)

·         Blender/Food Processor (For making paper pulp)

·         White Felt or Flannel Fabric

·         Staples or Tacks (For tacking screen on frame)

·         Liquid starch (optional)

 

1. Select the pieces of paper to be recycled. You can even mix different types to create your own unique paper.
2. Rip the paper into small bits, and place into the blender. (about half full). Fill the blender with warm water. Run the blender slowly at first then increase the speed until the pulp looks smooth and well blended. ( 30 -40 seconds) Check that no flakes of paper remain. If there are, blend longer.
3. The next step is to make a mold. The mold, in this case, is made simply by stretching fiberglass screen (plain old door and window screen) over a wooden frame and stapling it. It should be as tight as possible.
4. Fill the basin about half way with water. Add 3 blender loads of pulp. (the more pulp you add the thicker the finished paper will be) Stir the mixture.

5. Now is the time to add the liquid starch for sizing.(This is not necessary but if the paper is going to be used for writing on, you should add some, the starch helps to prevent inks from soaking into the paper fibers.) Stir 2 teaspoons of liquid starch into the pulp.

Place the mold into the pulp and then level it out while it is submerged. Gently wiggle it side-to-side until the pulp on top of the screen looks even.
6. Slowly lift the mold up until it is above the level of the water. Wait until most of the water has drained from the new paper sheet. If the paper is very thick, remove some pulp from the tub. If it is too thin, add more pulp and stir the mixture again.
7. When the mold stops dripping, gently place one edge on the side of a fabric square (felt or flannel square). Gently ease the mold down flat, with the paper directly on the fabric. Use a sponge to press out as much water as possible. Wring the excess water from the sponge back into the large plastic tub.
8. Now comes the tricky part. Hold the fabric square flat and slowly lift the edge of the mold. The wet sheet of paper should remain on the fabric. If it sticks to the mold, you may have pulled to fast or not pressed out enough water. It takes a little practice. You can gently press out any bubbles and loose edges at this point.
9. Repeat the steps above, and stack the fabric squares on a cookie sheet. Save one fabric square to place on the top of the stack to cover the last piece of paper. Use another cookie sheet to press the remaining water out of the stack. (do this outside or in the bathtub, it can make a mess)
10. After you press the stack, gently separate the sheets. They can be dried by hanging on a clothesline or laying them out on sheets of newspaper. When they have dried peel them off the fabric and voila! you have paper!

Hand Out #2:

Toad Abodes

What You Need:

• Small terra cotta pot – around 4”
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brush
• Newspapers
• Small spade

What You Do:

1. Spread some newspapers out on your child's workspace so she won’t drip paint anywhere. 
2. Have your child decorate her pot with nature designs, petroglyphs, or whatever she would like. 
3. When the pot has dried take it outside to a spot that is in the soil – a flower bed that doesn’t get any pesticides would be great, otherwise a spot under a bush or tree. 
4. Next, have your child take the spade, dig down in the soil a little ways and bury the pot halfway in the ground on its side. Think of it as making a miniature cave. Leave the soil turned up, don’t pat it down.
5. Now you have a toad house in your yard! If you don’t attract a toad with your first toad house try moving it to a different location. Soon, you will have an ally against garden pests.

 

Recycled Crayons

What you will need:

• Old and broken crayons
• Mold (you can use any shape you like)
• Crock pot
• Spoon to ladle melted crayon wax
• Needle and thread (optional)

1.      Remove the wrappers from the old crayon stubs, and sort by color.

2.       Then place the stubs into the crock-pot, set at "high." Stir; heat until melted; reset heat to "low." Spoon liquid into crayon molds.

3.      Let them cool and harden - and you have new crayons!

4.      Color a box or a coffee tin, and put your crayons in it. A box-full of homemade crayons makes a nice, useful gift.

*You may wish to include a mold and these directions.

1. To create a colorful holiday ornament, pierce a still-warm crayon with a threaded needle, or heat needle before piercing it through a cooled crayon.

2. Remember to use a strong enough thread to make a looped hanger.

Hand Out #3:

Juice Carton/ Milk Carton Bird Feeder

To make a Milk Carton Bird Feeder, you will need:

·  milk or juice carton

·  craft knife or scissors

·  wax pencil or crayon

·  ruler or straight edge

·  two small lengths of double-sided tape

·  two bamboo skewers or straight,

·  bird seed

·  hole punch

·  twine to make a hanger

Instructions:

1. Use the wax pencil and ruler to draw the shape of the opening on the front of the milk carton, as shown in the diagram at right. The opening looks like the outline of a house with a peaked roof. You should allow about two inches at the bottom of the carton to hold a good amount of seeds.

2. Use the craft knife to cut out the opening. Younger children will need an adult to help with this part.

3. Using the top of the peak as a center point, fold the piece of milk carton that you just removed in half along its length. Make a half inch cut from the point of the peak down the center fold. Fold up a half inch flap on either side of this cut, as shown in the diagram at right.

4. Attach a length of double-sided tape to each flap.

5. Insert this roof piece into the top of the opening and use your fingers to press the flaps against the inside of the milk carton until the double-sided tape holds securely.

6. Poke a bamboo skewer or thin straight twig through the wall of the milk carton, just below the left side of the opening. Repeat on the right side. Poke skewers all the way through and out the back wall of the carton. This keeps the perches straight and secure.

7. Use a hole punch or a skewer to punch two holes through the top line of the carton.

8. Thread twine through the two holes to make a hanger.
9. Fill the bottom of the feeder with nyger seed or a small bird seed mixture. Hang your milk carton bird feeder from a tree branch that you can reach easily when you need to add more bird seed..

BLOG 5

This semester my resume has grown to include the work I have accomplished through a Michigan State University radio station.  Taking in my advice and suggestions helped them in their overall goal and direction. I have learned how to use social media websites as a tool to further the aims of a business, brand, or function. As a result of this project, I not only have things to add to my resume, but a tangible end product as represented by my blog. On my resume I listed all the social media websites I am familiar with, in addition to trade and athletic skills. I chose to include the technological skills I have learned because they are valuable assets in any field now that media and networking have become so fully integrated into modern life. I did not, however, emphasize these skills primarily and instead opted to incorporate my other varied skills as well to show that I am well-rounded and talented. I plan to alter my resume to emphasize the skills necessary  for each respective job I apply to. I feel all my recent additions will enhance my resume. The Skyrocket reading seemed to repeat the same advice to avoid posting anything online that could be interpreted as negative. But it went even further to explain the need to project a positive, active, and original persona, and to use the communicative power of these sites to expand personal influence.

The biggest thing that was proven to me is that internet destinations such as Facebook, are a great resource for doing studies and social experiences. With these new ways of doing studies give you an easier time detecting similarities with certain controls. These similarities  after we prove that there is a big  enough repeating outcome these can give you enough evidence to say that for certain a certain theory be true.  

I would relate a study to my math days. A study is just like a mathematician uses a math theory. You can say an answer and not show why because the work is already done. All you have to do is  relate it back to the study because its already proven as fact. It's a lot of work to do the study over and over again so you just refer back to the certain study.

     As In the study with the x amount of Facebook relationship status they found that the time of the year had correlation with the flow of break ups and number of relationships growing. After the study it proves then people are most likely to start dating and break up. After this is proven businesses can use this information in their advertising. It shows then they should spend more money on advertising there product and not only that but for what angle at that time of the year. Things like chocolate, flowers, and the movie theaters and really find this information useful. Yes, there's always going to be outliers but that's not the point to say what everybody is doing. The point is to find a big enough portion of society   to make this correlation between time and dating/breakups. The majority is the average and that is your focused to target as much people as you can because those are your consumers that buy your product. The hole purpose is how you can advertise on a more personal level that will hit the most people in the world.

     Online/social media interaction is going to be the pioneer to lead us into studding the human nature. It gives a lot more control and options than any other way in the past.  This will lead us into the future on studies to prove outcome that we can use to make decisions that we could never prove for sure in the past. Internet in the posses of making a general outcome, I believe will pop up more and more as years go one.