Trashformations
The recycling bin held the items necessary for local second and third grade students to create winning entries in this year's Trashformations contest.
Coal City Elementary School third grader Caiden Tourigney went straight to his family's recycling bin for the materials he needed to create “Bob,” a robot with a body built from plastic bottles, tin cans, cardboard, chip bags and plastic caps, and a face that looked a lot like a Lunchable tray.
Tourigney, a student in Lori Watson's class, was one of 14 students in the school to submit an entry in the annual contest, and his recycled robot took first place for third grade.
Sponsored by the Grundy County Environmental and Resource Conservation Office, the program was developed to promote recycling within the county by teaching students that items typically tossed into the recycling bin or trash can be repurposed.
Tourigney's entry now moves on to the countywide contest, as does the first place submission created by second grader Promise Walker.
Walker, a student in Liz Housman's class, built “Arthur,” a sculpture of various creatures — bee, bear and monkey — using plastic ice tea bottles. The name of her submission comes from a character on her favorite television show, “Mr. Young.”
Second grader Max Christensen, a student in Shelby Skubic's class, earned second place honors for his entry “Super Robot.” He used a variety of items in the design of his robot including plastic bottles, cardboard and egg cartons. He points out he traced his brother's arms onto cardboard to make the robot arms and a packing envelope to create a cape.
Earning second place in third grade was Aiciry Rodriguez, a student in Cris Bormet's class. Her entry, Murphy, was created from cardboard boxes that once contained cereal, gelatin and a Wubble Bubble Ball. Plastic caps gave him eyes and he even wore a paper tie.
Dylan Tarman built his submission, “Rowbie the Robot,” from the legs up using shampoo and conditioner bottles. His third place entry was also crafted from cardboard and drink bottles. His eyes were the lids from the shampoo bottles and his mouth created from a plastic straw. Tarman is a third grade student in Watson's class.
Students who submitted entries will be presented with a certificate from the school. Students who place in the countywide contest receive a special prize.
Watson organizes the local contest.