Like many others, I was inspired David Attenborough’s Blue Planet Two, and then by Plastic Oceans on Netflix. As a class teacher with a pre-teaching background in design, I wanted our latest P6 topic on Ocean Plastics to develop both critical thinking and creativity.
I wanted my learners to understand…the impact of plastic waste both globally and around the many islands of Scotland.
Research led to an organisation called Precious Plastics in Holland started by social entrepreneur and designer Dave Hakens. He had created his own machines for recycling plastics and hosted a comprehensive global network of people doing the same on his website. I signed up, posted about what I was planning to do and was contacted by international design agency Studio Pop. They were undertaking two projects in the Maryhill area of Glasgow near my school: Dot to Dot, regenerating urban waste ground for community use and Replastico, repurposing plastics into saleable items.
I became involved in both of their projects and was given great advice and strategies which I could implement in the classroom. From there it was clear that the topic would centre on a social enterprise project aiming to make and sell recycled plastic products. To lay the foundation for this I started with the Sustainable Development Goals, sustainable consumption and the science of plastic. I wanted my learners to understand where it comes from, why it lasts so long and the impact of plastic waste both globally and around the many islands of Scotland.
The really exciting part of the topic was the development of the pupils’ company ‘Remedoo’.
Pupils became very passionate about the topic at the same time that the issue exploded in the press. This brought many further opportunities to examine news stories and develop various literacy skills. The really exciting part of the topic was the development of the pupils’ company ‘Remedoo’. Pupils have taken charge of the core decisions relating to the company such as company name, logos, website content, types of products, pricing etc. They have had to compromise and resolve design and construction issues together with great success, producing interesting and saleable products ranging from earrings to wallets.
I have been overwhelmed at the engagement of all pupils and the knowledge they have demonstrated throughout. They have shown growth in their critical thinking and ability to collaborate and work together. The project has provided many opportunities for pupils to sell their wares, showcase their learning and celebrate their successes, including the Young Dragon’s Den event in Glasgow City Chambers and the Dot to Dot Eco Fair in Maryhill.
They have shown growth in their critical thinking and ability to collaborate and work together.
The project has been so successful that the class have requested to carry on the business next term as an after-school club. The pupils have also proposed to reinvest any profits to expand their product range and develop their website into a platform for selling online. I have every intention of making this a sustainable project which can be passed onto different classes each year to help tackle plastic waste in our local area and continue to educate future generations helping to change the plastic tide.
