Student Scientists Explore Pollution Solutions for Local Community

ICS Middle School students are learning how skills and knowledge from their Science class can help clean up polluted local communities.

The group of students and teachers took a trip to visit the Korah Community, located near a landfill in Addis Ababa. The community faces significant challenges, including a river choked with trash that has blocked water flow, creating severe issues for local residents. This visit offered the students a firsthand look at the environmental and social impact of waste mismanagement and offered the chance to investigate into mitigation schemes.

Inspired to make a difference, ICS is tackling the issue head-on through a new recycling project which has links to many subject areas across ES, MS & HS. The initiative focuses on repurposing plastic waste into useful and creative products such as key chains, building blocks, and other merchandise. By combining hands-on design skills with a commitment to sustainability, the project not only addresses the plastic waste problem but also fosters empathy and a sense of responsibility in students.

"Grade 8 undertaking this investigation, with our new partner Korah Kids, allowed for meaning for an interesting field trip into water pollution, plastic pollution and our response in this," Middle School Service Learning Coordinator Marc Francis said. "This is also an opportunity for Grade 8 to collaborate with Grade 10 Art class, for Earth Day in April, for which the theme is water - giving a unique cross sectional, interdisciplinary learning experience rooted in Service as Action!"

This initiative is a testament to the ICS Addis commitment to community-connected service learning, helping students understand complex local issues while equipping them with the skills to design practical solutions. It's a step toward a more sustainable future and a meaningful way to show that small actions can lead to significant impact.