August 20, 2010- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The Roots & Shoots program at the International School of Panama recently established their first school-wide recycling program! They currently have 14 recycling bins on campus in three different colors. Blue is for all papers, White is for all plastics and Green is for all aluminum and glass. How did they start this recycling program?

They first had to research to find out who would pick up and recycle all of these materials they were collecting. They also had to raise money so they could buy the recycling bins. They ended up doing a Bake Sale to raise money to buy the recycling bins which were made of recyled materials themselves. This project inspired the Roots & Shoots group of the International School of Panama to that when they stick to an important idea and follow through with it, they can achieve anything. Maybe in the future they will help other schools start recycling programs as well!

August 13, 2010- Worm Composting Box Expansion

Sea Gate Elementary Schools Roots & Shoots Club decided to expand their worm composting bin. What is compost you ask? Compost is made of organic materials which are derived from plants and animals that have died and are rotting away. More and more people are composting since it is so simple not to mention its rich in nutrients so it's good for your soil and therefore good for gardening. Worm composting, or vermiculture, actually speeds up the compost process and produces high quality compost and fertilizing liquid.

Judy Dempsey, the organic coordinator, along with Lenore Vitale and Mary McCarthy, two parent volunteers, helped double the size of the originally 4'x6' box. The worms are now thriving in the new box and are now waiting for the new planting season and school year to resume.

August 6, 2010- Senior Citizen Visit

The H.E.L.P (Help Earth Live Peacefully) Roots & Shoots group recently visited senior citizens at a local senior center. They had fun keeping them company and asking them questions about their lives. They discussed some of the problems the world faces today and their ideas for solutions to these problems. They both learned a lot from each other and enjoyed each others company. They also discussed how seniors can make a difference in this world and the seniors added that they will be coming up with fund raising ideas for the upcoming Alzheimers Association charity walk.

July 30, 2010- First National Recycling Fair

The Roots & Shoots Panama Cares group actively supported and participated in the First National Recycling Fair, which took place on May 22, 2010, in the historic ruins of Old Panama City, Republic of Panama. Prior to the event, the group enthusiastically requested, collected and classified donations of recyclable material from their school community (Academia Interamericana de Panama) to be taken with them to the fair. Items they collected included video games, laptops, computers, printers, radios, cameras, cell phones, batteries, glass and plastic bottles, cans and loads of paper and cardboard, all to be recycled at the Recycling Fair!

July 23, 2010- Big Sunday Weekend-Lend a Paw at Beagles & Buddies

EcoHarmony Roots & Shoots group decided to help Beagles & Buddies which rescues, rehabilitates and finds homes for homeless dogs. Beagles & Buddies is always in need of help, so EcoHarmony decided to come in and complete whichever assignments Beagles & Buddies needed help with.

EcoHarmony helped clean a storage room for the dogs along with organizing boxes of supplies by loading them into shelves. In addition, they sanitized the floors, walls and sinks area so the dogs can have a clean place for grooming. The group was also able to socialize with the dogs and take them for a walk, which was a lot of fun for both the people and dogs involved! This was also EcoHarmony's first project and they learned that while helping others they can also have a lot of fun too!

July 16, 2010- Red Panda Exhibit

The Sequoia Park Zoo Roots & Shoots group got together to work on a Red Panda exhibit which will soon be open in their local zoo. They planted a couple of trees in the exhibit, including a tree that happened to be the thousandth tree they have planted as a group, isn't that exciting!

They also helped to plant bamboo as well as clean up the zoo, along with various other activities. This group was able to help out a local zoo in making a better exhibit for the vulnerable Red Panda.

Do you want to be featured in the Project of the Week? Submit your project report today for consideration! We'll feature one project a week throughout the entire year.