Our fifth graders recently created “eco-inventions” to address the issue of plastic in our oceans. Eco-inventions are new products and processes that help solve environmental problems and contribute positively to the health of the planet through technical innovation. 

Putting their critical thinking skills and creativity to work, the students brainstormed ideas and solutions, and came up with machines that could help remove plastic from our oceans and seashores. “The class did an amazing job thinking creatively, figuring out how the machines would work,” shared Fifth Grade Teacher Erin Noble. “Each student wrote a five-paragraph persuasive essay convincing people that their invention would help the environment.” Then, working in groups of three, the students created an advertisement and a stop motion animation showing how their imaginary invention would work.