5 Genius Upcycling Projects for the Classrooms

Educators are proficient in optimising limited resources. Students can be taken on a journey into the deepest, darkest depths of the sea or taken on a journey between the stars using just a paper bag, bath tissue, markers, and a little imagination. Upcycling is the process of transforming waste into treasure, much like modern alchemy. and saving money is only one aspect of it; there are many more.

Early upcycling instruction teaches students important skills about environmental sustainability, engineering, and creative problem solving in addition to reducing trash in the classroom!

Check out a few of these fantastic projects that can serve as a springboard for the experiential learning of your own students.

1. Model ecosystem in a bottle

Recyclable bottles are the foundation for a lot of entertaining activities, but this one never fails to please. Bring in a little natural mystery for the students.

Visit GeoExchange.org to learn how to manufacture them, and there you’ll also discover all the supplies you need to begin creating a lesson plan centred around the activity!

2. Popsicle bracelets.

Kids can create lovely gifts for friends and family out of discarded popsicle sticks by using a little boiling water and a mould (tea cups work great for this). The MollymooCrafts.com team has created an amazing picture-heavy tutorial.

3. Post it pinwheels

Pen and pencil decorations can be made into something lovely or eerie using post-it notes and other waste paper. There’s a great tutorial with lots of lovely pictures on SmartSchoolhouse.com. The simplicity of these to make will appeal to kids. The classroom will soon have a wind farm-like appearance!

4. Decorative crayon ornaments

Although Christmas is over, these decorations are still a wonderful present for parents throughout the year. HeatheredNest.com has a fantastic instruction with video. Children will be astonished when the teacher applies the final touch with a hair dryer after they have enjoyed smashing their old crayons!

5. Textbook animals

Did you know that used textbooks may be recycled to create a variety of adorable animals? You name it: dogs, cats, owls, penguins, even hedgehogs! Alison’s Craft Channel’s YouTube vloggers created these adorable tiny fellows. A pair of scissors and some glue are all you need to construct your own. There are countless options.