Learners in Coach Hall’s fifth grade advisory identified a plastic waste problem in our community. As a result, they are learning about types of plastic and becoming aware of their own personal use of plastic products as they participate in a service learning experience with the University of Akron’s Precious Plastic program. Learners have been collecting and sorting plastic from home and school which they will give to Precious Plastic to be shredded and molded into new products. NIHF STEM learners are looking forward to a visit to the university facility to see the plastic upcycle  process. They have also shared their ideas for making recycle bins with the plastic they collect so that they can expand the collection in our school. We are inspired by our plastic discoveries and the ability to make a difference in our future.