Shorecrest School

INFO BOTS Launch Plastic Bag Exchange Program

Source/Author: Anna Baralt, Director of Educational Technology
November 05, 2015
Middle School News


The Middle School INFOBOTS Robotics team is gearing for for this year’s First LEGO League Tournament. First LEGO League introduces students aged 9-14 to the fun and excitement of science and technology. 2014-15 was the first school year that Shorecrest Middle Schoolers formed an FLL team - the INFO BOTS.

This year's challenge is called TRASH TREK. The INFO BOTS must build and program a robot to navigate a field of environmental trash hazards. In addition, for the TRASH TREK Project, each team must:
  • Identify a problem with the way we make or handle trash
  • Design an innovative solution to the problem selected
  • Share the problem and solution with others
The INFO BOTS identified the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags as the problem they’d like to tackle. The students researched the use of plastic bags, the effects of plastic bag waste on the environment, and possible alternatives to non-biodegradable plastic. To learn about the business side of using plastic bags, the INFO BOTS were delighted to have a conference call with the Director of Environmental and Sustainability Programs for Publix Supermarkets. Each team member got to develop and ask a question during the call. The leadership at Publix were so impressed by the INFO BOTS, they agreed to support the team’s effort to promote the use of reusable bags within the Shorecrest community by donating Publix reusable bags.

The INFO BOTS now challenge Shorecrest families to reduce the number of plastic bags used by participating in their plastic bag exchange program.
  • For every 50 plastic bags turned in, donors will receive a reusable cloth bag.
  • Bags may be turned in to Dr. Baralt in the Shorecrest library.
  • The plastic bags will be returned to Publix for recycling.
Next, the INFO BOTS will launch an art campaign to help teach shoppers about the benefits of using reusable bags. Through the INFO BOTS art contest, Shorecrest students may submit designs that may be featured on Publix reusable bags. More information on that will be coming soon!


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