Electrifying Trash: Spotlighting Textile and Computer Waste!

My Students

Albert Einstein said that, "Problems cannot be solved using the same kind of thinking as when we created them". My students believe that we live in a wasteful society. They want to make an "electrifying" stand for mindful, creative alternatives for materials otherwise destined for landfills.

My fifth grade students teased me when I opened a filing cabinet's drawer to look for a particular computer cable needed for a neighboring classroom.

"Ms. Bilello, why do you have a drawer full of wires?" This simple question led to a much bigger question. What do we do with all the discarded electrical components generated by our school? Through research, we discovered that NYC recycles our school's computers and monitors but everything else goes into the trash. Then ideas started sparking which in turn ignited a blaze of powerful emotions! We had just been discussing the upcoming Science Fair and our newly implemented MakerSpace, when they decided that they wanted to pair the unusable computer components with clothing or other textiles they were no longer interested in keeping. The goal would be to become environmental engineers and design a stylishly sustainable future society through reuse, refashioning and revitalizing electrical circuits through clothing! They're so amazing!

My Project

We intend to turn trash into unique wearable treasures while learning about electrical circuitry and environmental conservation. Our culminating activity will be to educate others on best environmentally-friendly practices and options for unwanted e-waste and textiles. We will also share out our ethical makeovers at the upcoming Science Fair at the end of the school year. Wearable technology begins with a simple electrical circuit, transitions to the design and testing stage, and lastly, engineering and incorporation of e-waste into clothing and other textiles. This will keep both waste materials from entering landfills. Although my immediate target audience will be my two fifth grade classes, the materials requested are mainly non-consumable, and can be utilized year after year with the following students as they move up to fifth grade. The demonstrated commitment of my students and the desire to educate others will lead to a positive environmental impact that is priceless!

Students will be empowered through building electrical circuits and incorporating them creatively into wearable technology.

Craftsmanship, uniqueness, reconstruction, upcycling, and modifying fashionable electronics are super cool just by themselves. Who wouldn't want to sport unique techno bling? A Forbes survey confirms 71 percent of kids do! Pair learning about environmental concerns with working together toward student-led innovative solutions and you posses a worldwide winning combination!