Teacher Inspires 7th Graders To Take Action To Eliminate Plastic One Town At A Time
Two 7th graders, inspired by a student project led by their 6th-grade teacher Ms. Nikki Ferringo, created a nonprofit organization to rid the world of disposable plastics one town at a time, starting in their hometown of Highland Park, New Jersey.
Andrew Dalton and Mac Jones have already marked success by getting the school district to switch from plastic to biodegradable cutlery in school lunchrooms. They have also been advocating for and getting restaurants to commit to making plastic straws available only upon request.
Interview with Andrew Dalton, the Founder of Plasticfreetown.com.
The following is the pre-interview with Andrew Dalton. Be sure to watch the recorded interview above.
For-profit/Nonprofit: Nonprofit but I don’t have a 501 (c) 3 yet
What is the problem you solve and how do you solve it?
Plastic Free Town is a movement that was created by 2 middle school students in 2017 and was inspired by our social studies teacher and this project was to basically pick a topic then try to solve it! so we decided to pick the topic of microplastics and this project is to try to prevent the use of One use Plastic Straws.
More about Plasticfreetown.com:
Twitter: @TownPlastic
Facebook: Btcmicroplasticshp
Instagram: @plastic_free_town
Website: www.plasticfreetown.com
Plastic Free Town is a non-profit movement created by two middle school students. It was inspired by our social studies teacher’s project “Be the Change.” The movement’s purpose is to make Highland Park plastic free and many other towns as well. On this website are many events we are having, as well as planning, and many other cool things.
Andrew Dalton. Photo Credit: Plastic-Free Town
Andrew Dalton’s bio:
Instagram: @Plastic_Free_Town
Andrew Dalton is a 7th grader. He is also the Middle School liaison for Sustainable Highland Park. He also does a lot of really cool actions towards trying to save the earth. He can’t wait to do more events and more actions !
Interview with Mac Jones, the Social Media Manager of Plastic Free Town.
How are you personally affected by Plastic items being used and how plastic is terrible for the earth?
I am personally affected by this issue because I hate going to oceans or large bodies of with plastic garbage in it and dead fish and animals around and I want to change this at least starting with my town and community by trying to reduce the amount of plastic items being used.
What is your take on Plastic items being used and how plastic is terrible for the earth.?
I hate plastic and how it is all in our ocean and communities and I want to work with PFT to solve that issue.
Mac Jones . Photo Credit: Plastic-Free town
Mac Jones ’s bio:
My name it Mac Jones. I am a seventh grader at Highland Park middle school and I like playing ice hockey, skateboarding, surfing and I also like science and history. I am the Socail Media Manager for PFT(Plastics Free Town).
Interview with Nikki Ferringo, the Teacher of Be the Change at Highland Park Middle School.
The following is the pre-interview with Nikki Ferringo. Be sure to watch the recorded interview above.
How are you personally affected by microplastics and other current issues selected by students for Be the Change?
I teach about these issues in my classroom.
What is your take on Microplastics and other current issues selected by students for Be the Change?
Teaching is my form of activism. Students inspire me to tackle the issues I care about most as I facilitate their growth as global citizens.
More about Be the Change at Highland Park Middle School:
Instagram: @Bethechange_hp
Be the Change is a social action project that provides students with the opportunity to effect positive change in our society. After conducting extensive research on a current issue of their choice, students create and implement an action plan. Students develop community partnerships, team up with organizations, create programs and host events to address the issues they are most passionate about. Plastic-Free Town is an exemplary Be the Change project-turned-movement that lasted well beyond the assignment deadlines.
Nikki Ferringo. Photo Credit: Highland Park Middle School
Nikki Ferringo’s bio:
I am a 6th-grade Social Studies teacher at Highland Park Middle School in Highland Park, NJ. I started my career here six years ago after graduating from the Rutgers Graduate School of Education with a Masters in K-12 Social Studies Education. I teach Ancient Civilizations, and I infuse current events, human rights and social justice education into my curriculum, as the latter are my passions.
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