Ideas spread through Environmental Fair

Ethan Paikowsky and Max Landy

Miami Palmetto Senior High School’s students and teachers recently came together to display the daily effects on the environment by different experiments, in their annual event, the Environmental Fair.

The 2013 Palmetto Senior High School Environmental Fair seemed to be a success, as messages of conservation continue to spread throughout the school community. The sophomore class stepped up to the plate, as it exhibited various ways to sustain materials that may one day be unavailable.

“I believe that it’s important to inform students on how to preserve the environment while they’re young,” volunteer Samantha Herron said. “So they know what to do and what not to do.”

After observing each and every station, students enhanced their knowledge. The stations showed the pros and cons of items used daily and how they affect the environment.

“I really enjoyed the experience of preparing for today,”  volunteer Gabriela Aklepi, said. “It was really fun and cool to see how interested students could be in the environment.”

“Be a Shopping Detective”, a report by Kayla Buttafuoco and Gabi Aklepi, obtained  a well-represented display of certain foods and companies that use low amounts of pesticides and recyclable packaging materials.  Both eco-friendly and apart of the rainforest alliance, food brands such as Hershey’s Bliss chocolate and several natural foods such as coffee beans. On the other hand, contrary from what others may believe, celery has 61 pesticides and processed meat raises a person’s chances of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent.

To encourage Palmetto students to visit each project, teachers strategically placed beads at each project location. If a student filled his/her bracelet with beads, some of the science teachers rewarded students with one extra credit A.

“We hope this program can share an appreciation of our environment,”  Environmental Fair coordinator, Ms. Valois said. “The environment affects all of us and is really important.”