Middle School Students Explore Sustainability

Area middle schools hosted art showcases featuring artworks made from recycled products. The event, a part of UNCW's "JUST US" program, promoted awareness of environmental justice issues and engaged young people in meaningful sustainability activities.  

Student participants educated their peers on the importance of recycling, the impact of the environment on sea turtles and how small actions can have an enormous impact.

"JUST US" is a partnership between UNCW, local schools and after-school programs and is spearheaded by UNCW's Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. 

Students at Myrtle Grove, Trask, and West Pender middle schools, as well as GLOW and D.C. Virgo Preparatory academies, participated in the project, using art created by local artist Harvest Ganong as inspiration. The art showcases were held April 25-28 at participating schools. West Pender Middle School’s showcase is slated for May 6 as part of the Pender County’s Spring Fest in Burgaw, NC.  

"The goal is to foster a sense of community and collaboration using awareness about a local issue to promote service and action by youth," said Kimberley Cheatham, outreach coordinator for the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.  

In addition to the art display, the larger school community viewed other parts of the interdisciplinary curriculum prepared by Dr. Janna Robertson, professor emeritus in UNCW's Watson College of Education. The Plastic Ocean Project and Cape Fear Community College, leading partners, will be present at each event. Two CFCC visual art classes, taught by Richard Conn, designed and built a sea turtle-shaped trash receptacle that will be on display throughout the community. Trask Middle School students earned the honor of naming the turtle by collecting the most trash bags to fill the turtle.  

“‘The Trouble with Turtles’ curriculum has demonstrated to students that the problem of plastic waste is harmful to all of us, but we can fix this by working together,” said Dr. Robertson. “Our students learned they can make an impact on the world every day."  

This is the third year of the JUST US program. Years one and two introduced the combination of art to teach resiliency and empathy; this year's emphasis focuses on the environment and environmental justice components.