During the 2004-2005 school year, seventh grade students from Maritime Academy Charter High School in Philadelphia organized a recycling project. Their objective was to inform their peers, family, friends, and members of the community about recycling. The members of the seventh grade were separated into teams, and each team had a job designated to their Earth Force group. Members of each team were assigned to research topics specific to recycling. One group of students was able to learn what items can and cannot be recycled. Other students created a color-coded map of Philadelphia illustrating the days that recyclable items could be collected in a designated area. And the students of Maritime were able to find out where Philadelphians could recycle and how to obtain recycling cans for home or school.
After the students put their work together they shared it with the other members of their grade. On April 20th, 2005 the seventh grade students went on a field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo to participate in the Earth Force Youth Summit. The intention of the students attending the field trip was to display the hard work that the members of each team had done. With the help of some students, Mrs. Brand wrote a proposal for project support from Earth Force. The Maritime team was informed that their proposal was chosen, and they were awarded $250 in project support from Delaware Valley Earth Force. The students were thrilled, and with that money they coordinated an Earth Force Festival. At the festival the seventh grade students invited members of the school to see all of the hard work that they did. They used their time to inform their peers about recycling and what everybody can do to make Earth a cleaner place (starting with their neighborhoods). The students also created educational games for enjoyment, and had snacks to share with their Earth Force friends.
When we look back on this project we see success. Maritime Academy students are more informed about recycling and what they can do to educate others about recycling. The students worked vigorously at home and school. All of their work was worth it in the end knowing that more people will recycle because of the work that they did.