45 Grade One and Grade Two students from A.E. Bowers Elementary School have created a picnic table garbage attachment device. This device was created in hopes that people would clean up after themselves instead of littering and leaving their garbage in parks.

Caitlin Cornell one of their teachers at A.E. Bowers, along with Elyse Schlichter, who is also a staff member spearheaded the project with the kids. Cornell explained how the idea came about to make these garbage attachments.

"As part of the new curriculum, we talk about how humans can positively and negatively affect the environment. We discussed with the students, how we help limit litter and garbage in our parks and picnic areas around us. That's where we came up with the idea to create a picnic table garbage attachment device."

With the help of the Grade Nine students from George McDougall, the students were able to create prototypes of the project, eventually deciding to create a final project that had hinges, a lid, and a clip so that it could stay closed. Once the final 3-D device was made, the class got in touch with Parks Canada to go for a visit and donate one of their garbage attachments.

"They're hopefully going to install it on a picnic table at Cascade Ponds."

AirdriePhoto of the picnic table garbage attachment device in use.

Cornell mentioned she is currently in talks with the City of Airdrie to have one of the attachments added to a picnic table in Nose Creek Park.

Here is a video the students created showing how to use their picnic table garbage attachment device.

"It's been a great learning journey, not only for us teachers but for the students. They've developed so many skills, they had a lot of perseverance and resilience, working through all of our miniature prototypes before making the final product."

According to Cornell, the students displayed a keen curiosity in the functionality of the 3D printing technology, inquiring about the x, y, and z axes. They engaged in measurements to ensure the device's compatibility with picnic tables, demonstrating both reasoning and mathematical skills.

She finished off by saying it will have a positive effect showing the students how to collaborate in a way to contribute positively to environmental conservation.

"It was an amazing learning experience for everybody."

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