Working magic to help kids connect with environmental sustainability
Did you know that each of us uses about 700 pounds of paper per year? That simply using both sides of a piece of paper and reusing lunch bags can go a long way toward reducing needless waste?
Did you know that we throw away 40 billion cans and bottles every year? Placed end-to-end, they would reach to the moon and back nearly 20 times. But if we recycled just one aluminum can, we would save enough energy to run our TV or Xbox for up to three hours?
Did you know that we can reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink our garbage disposal by simply making smart choices before we buy things?
Your kids will by the end of September, according to Miami County Solid Waste District Solid Waste Coordinator Lauren Karch. They’ll do so by the “edu-taining” (educating and entertaining) power of a master illusionist.
“We’re bringing back The Illusion Maker show to students in Miami County in September,” she reports. “The popular program, starring “magician-for- a-cause” David James, will feature lessons on waste reduction and recycling and will be performed at various elementary and middle schools throughout the county.”
“It’s something that everyone should be involved in and interested in,” says James, who does an average of 300-350 performances a year, reaching an average of 250 kids per show. “There are lots of things kids can do in their own neighborhoods that can make a difference. We concentrate on things they can do in their own hometown.”
The world our kids will live in will have increasing waste processing challenges. The United Nations projects that by 2030, the population around the globe will be closing in on 8.5 billion people. By 2050, the population will come close to 10 billion. With pound per-person daily waste estimates ranging from 3 to 5 pounds, shaping a “reduce/reuse/recycle/rethink” mentality in our children today is critical “If we lay the groundwork now while the kids are young, so much good can be done.” Karch explains. “The show is designed to leave the kids with many ideas they can use, and teach their friends and families, which is so critical.”
This year’s show is entitled “The 50’s Rock N Roll Environmental Magic Show,” and there will be “lots of stage magic, lots of audience participation,” according to James. “A new thing this year will be a magic trick involving crayons, and an opportunity for classrooms to become part of a crayon recycling program (The Crayon Initiative) that collects crayons in classes and makes them into new crayons for kids in places like children’s hospitals.”
“Parents and guests are encouraged to attend“, said Karch. “We’d encourage you to visit our new website, and check out some of the kid-friendly activities and at-home recycling ideas listed there.”
The show schedule is below:
Springcreek Elementary September 11, 2017 9:15 & 10:00 AM
Newton Elementary September 11, 2017 1:00 & 1:45 PM
Miami East Elementary September 12, 2017 8:30 & 9:15 AM
Milton-Union Elementary September 12, 2017 1:15 & 2:00 PM
Bethel Middle School September 13, 2017 8:45 & 9:30 AM
Covington Elementary September 13, 2017 1:15 & 2:00 PM
Milton-Union Middle School September 14, 2017 9:00 & 9:45 AM