Plastic Pioneers Sprout Junior Activists (Loads of Cute Pics Inside)

I am proud to announce that the plastic team has successfully reached every school aged group possible; from kindergarten to elementary, middle through high school and even college level. We have had the pleasure of enlightening and empowering many young people on the issues of plastic pollution but my favorite group by far has been the mini scientists from the Island School Early Learning Center (ELC). Shortly before the holiday break I had the pleasure of working with six precious kiddies from the ELC aged 2-6 years old. We discussed what happens to plastic waste, acted out the gyre and even talked about plastic fragmentation in the marine environment via a song and dance I created called “Plastic Breaking”. It was epic, click here: ELC Plastic Song and Dance to view the video of these little cuties singing and dancing. These kids were on their A-game as most of them already knew what happened to the waste that we ‘throw away’ and offered solutions to the problem. After our mini lecture filled with dancing and fun we headed to the beach to do a mini clean up. All of the debris collected was used by the students to make beautiful pieces of art. I had such an amazing time working with the ELC crew, they were tons of fun! Thanks to the lovely Mrs. Cassie who made everything happen, can’t wait to do this all over again. 

Photo Credit: Erik Kruthoff

ELC kiddies acting out the gyre

Plastic!

Little ones searching for plastic

Putting plastic in the bucket

Beach Plastic Christmas Ornament Workshop with Barbara de Vries (Photos Inside)

On November 15 &16, 2013 the Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center (EACC) in Tarpum Bay hosted a beach plastic workshop lead by Miami artist and designer Barbara de Vries. Barbara started the organization Plastic is Forever  after she found plastic on the beach in Eleuthera. After falling  in love with these plastic items she began to make jewelry. As a fellow anti beach plastic pollution activist, she teaches local Bahamian kids about beach plastic through workshops. Barbara is AWESOME, I have been inspired tremendously by her and her beautiful work!

The workshop, which focused on utilizing beach plastic to create Christmas inspired ornamental art, drew participants from throughout South Eleuthera. Plastic pollution is an increasingly global issue and has detrimental effects on our environment and health. With our extensive coastline, the islands of The Bahamas are highly susceptible to severe plastic debris accumulation on its shorelines. This could potentially have a negative effect on the tourist industry as visitors travel from near and far, especially to experience the beautiful pink sand beaches of Eleuthera. The goal of the workshop was to empower locals to utilize discarded resources found on the beach and use it to develop artwork for a profit. The event was a success and inspired everyone to think creatively and view beach plastic in a different light. The Cape Eleuthera Institute team members were able to participate and create their own plastic Christmas ornaments. A great time was had by all!

Photo Credit: Barbara de Vries

Plastic Pioneers Plunge into Plastic Art and Fun (Loads of Photos Inside)

In the Fall of 2012 things started to take off for the plastic team at the Island School (IS) and the Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI). During that time my primary focus was to maintain our aquaponics system and assist with teaching a marine research class. Luckily I was fortunate to have my feet in several different pools including the art and human ecology classes at the Island School. For the art class I would take all of the students to the beach to do a beach sweep. This activity allowed the students to witness the first hand effects of our dependence on plastic products and also provided the medium for their art projects where they either had to create an activist or up-cycled piece from plastic they collected. Both classes provided me the opportunity to enlighten the entire IS student
body about plastic pollution and inspired them to raise awareness of the issue and make changes within the local school community. Since then this has been a staple within the IS curriculum as I deliver my plastic lecture every semester in addition to continuing to help with the art and human ecology classes.

So if I had to recount the fall of 2012 via the plastic related things we did I would have to say: mini museum, plastic talk, cotton bay beach, beach sweeps, plastic art, plastic jewelry, plastic and human health awareness, plastic p.s.a videos, FUN!! Honorable mentions to everyone that was a part of the movement in the Fall of 2012 especially the Island School Fall 12 semester (so much love for that group), Nadine Lloyd, Serena Galleshaw and all teachers and interns involved.

Panoramic Photo Creds: Maria White