PROBLEM
An institution like a school, uses up a lot of paper, some extremely needed for the best standard of education, although most of it could be saved and reused, considered the amount of juice boxes thrown during breaks, or printing pages that went wrong. Teachers and other member of the school staff have been going on and on about how recycling is important although lectures to not change actions, and if it does not maybe humor can!
CREATING THE COSTUME
WHAT - Make a costume that will impact the school at the halloween costume day, making people think about their environmental actions through humor.
WHERE - it will be prepared at school, DT room and at my house, and worn around school.
WHEN - on the 31st of October, during break, lunch and in between lessons.
WHO - I am going to create it with the help and supervision of Mr. Dickinson
WHY - So that people could understand the importance of recycling, and just how simple it can be.
WHERE - it will be prepared at school, DT room and at my house, and worn around school.
WHEN - on the 31st of October, during break, lunch and in between lessons.
WHO - I am going to create it with the help and supervision of Mr. Dickinson
WHY - So that people could understand the importance of recycling, and just how simple it can be.
THE PROCESS
This idea appeared to me out very unexpectedly. Probably because I really wanted to cause an impact not only visually but also, wear something that was in some way significant. I shared the idea of dressing as a trash can, so that students would stop littering, with a friend and she suggested that a recycling can had a bit more relevance and dignity. I took that into consideration and went immediately discuss this idea with Mr. Dickinson who knew all about materials and could even help me create it. We searched for the address of a shop that would sell a trash can that big and in that color. One the same day I managed to go after it, and the day after we were already discussing how it would work out. During the process I understood that I was trying to come up with something creative and I was also working with a teacher which would make of it a very interesting CAS project.
I made my costume choice a secret for my friends so that the impact would be as effective as I pictured it would be.
We studied a ways that the can would both fit me and allow me to move and walk in it. Therefore we decided to wear it the other way around as top part was larger in diameter, making it easier for me to walk in it. Mr. Dickinson cut the bottom part and made wholes so that strings could be attached to it as a hanger over my shoulders.
The idea of the of using the lid as a hat was mine, although without Mr. Dickinson's suggestions I would not be able to properly wear it the entire day. He suggested I used a sponge so that my head would not be bumping onto the lid. He also suggested attaching two cloth strings rather than only one piece of string. I was provided with some material to glue on the juice boxes and the paper balls, that made the costume stand out more.
Once it was done Mr. Dickinson and I looked at it, as I wore it and we laughed, I was surprised of what we had created and we were both very excited!
I made my costume choice a secret for my friends so that the impact would be as effective as I pictured it would be.
We studied a ways that the can would both fit me and allow me to move and walk in it. Therefore we decided to wear it the other way around as top part was larger in diameter, making it easier for me to walk in it. Mr. Dickinson cut the bottom part and made wholes so that strings could be attached to it as a hanger over my shoulders.
The idea of the of using the lid as a hat was mine, although without Mr. Dickinson's suggestions I would not be able to properly wear it the entire day. He suggested I used a sponge so that my head would not be bumping onto the lid. He also suggested attaching two cloth strings rather than only one piece of string. I was provided with some material to glue on the juice boxes and the paper balls, that made the costume stand out more.
Once it was done Mr. Dickinson and I looked at it, as I wore it and we laughed, I was surprised of what we had created and we were both very excited!
DURING THE DAY
When I put on the costume still at home, I found it rather uncomfortable to carry my things, but that would not stop me from continuing to achieve my goal. Getting out of the car to enter school I could already experience the reaction of the security, who complemented my idea and had a good laugh. I was glad it was impacting, and people were responding positively. During the anthem where we were all lined up, pupils had all sorts of reaction, most laughed and were surprised. Teachers were enjoying my costume too, loads of complements were given. At this point I was not really sure if people were understanding the point I was trying to make, but I made sure I explained to them what was my motivation in coming dressed as a recycling paper trash can.
The highlight of the day was during break, where I took the challenge of reenforcing recycling. I walked around as people joked to through their juice boxes and other sorts or recycling material into my costume. I would then take them next to my "brother" (a real recycling can) and make them throw it there. I was all a big laugh, but I was certain they were understanding my point and respecting what I was trying to propose. During lunch, in the lunch room more people got to see my costume and I made sure I explained what was going on and talked more about its creation before serving my self, and after when I was done, before leaving the lunch room. For me to sit down and have lunch I had to take off the hat the main part I placed it behind me making it visible for those who were coming in.
I had comments about it after an entire week. It was impacting and I was extremely satisfied with the result, it was definitely better than I pictured it to be!
The highlight of the day was during break, where I took the challenge of reenforcing recycling. I walked around as people joked to through their juice boxes and other sorts or recycling material into my costume. I would then take them next to my "brother" (a real recycling can) and make them throw it there. I was all a big laugh, but I was certain they were understanding my point and respecting what I was trying to propose. During lunch, in the lunch room more people got to see my costume and I made sure I explained what was going on and talked more about its creation before serving my self, and after when I was done, before leaving the lunch room. For me to sit down and have lunch I had to take off the hat the main part I placed it behind me making it visible for those who were coming in.
I had comments about it after an entire week. It was impacting and I was extremely satisfied with the result, it was definitely better than I pictured it to be!
Answering Reflective Questions
1. DID I ACHIEVE MY GOAL? Yes, I was able to create an impacting costume regarding the issue of recycling. It was done on time with all the specifications I had put together with Mr. Dickinson, and that respected the specifications indicated by the school. I received a positive reaction towards the humor aspect, people did have a laugh but at the same time did consider the waste of paper issue I was regarding.
2. WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY? I would have probably have started to make it earlier, for example right after I had the idea, so that there would be some time to create small leaflets explaining my goal with the costume. Like that a greater amount of people, which I did not get the chance of speaking to during the day, would understand in greater depth what caused be to create and wear that costume.
3. HOW DID MY AWARENESS OF MY STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES INCREASE? Regarding my strength I realized that I do not fear daring activities, I am able to step up and take a risk, regarding of the result. I also understood that I am able to articulate a conversation regarding an intense issue in various formats, communicative skills are definitely one of my strengths. As to my weaknesses I had to work on my organizations skills, so that I could pass on the information and make it more effective with pamphlets. Another weakness revealed in this project is my lack of professionalism with those who would not respect the cause I was trying to defend, people who understood this simply as a joke. I wasted my time insisting on people who were not mature enough to carry on a conversation like that, but I was stubborn and persisted on something that would not give me a positive result rather than going after people who would respect my cause and take my action seriously.
4. HAVE I UNDERTAKEN NEW CHALLENGES? Yes, it was hard to put on that costume and walk around my teachers and other pupils, as it was very different from everything that was being worn that day. Talking to people about recycling, in a more basic and effective format was hard, because when I approached people, the humor was grater than any issue, and managing to get over that and talk about the issue with respect became a challenge especially with the first couple of people I talked to. I think it was a little daring to wear a costume with such a global implication during Halloween it did scare me that I would not get the reaction I expected from people, but I managed to put the insecurity aside and go on with my aim.
5. DID I PLAN AND ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES? I did plan the days of the creation of the costume and meetings with Mr. Dickinson, although no activity was planned in this project.
6. HOW DID ANY PREVIOUS SKILLS HELP ME PERSUE MY GOAL? Every year we are allowed to dress-up during Halloween for school, I make my costume myself. This precious experience helped me when creating this costume, as I had an idea of things that fit the occasion and would actually be feasible with the budget I had and the time I had to complete it. In other words it helped me put my feet on the ground and get working with what I had. The fact that I am the secretary from the student guild did improve my communication skills. With that post I managed to understand and experience the different tones and diction when approaching various different ages and people, such as students, teachers, heads and staff.
7. DID I WORK COLLABORATIVELY? During the process I mainly worked on a one to one basis with Mr. Dickinson when creating the costume, we discussed ideas, and tried to work things out so that the costume to best achieve my initial goal. During the Halloween day I had to work around the school with students and teachers recycling all types of paper. It was not extremely intense, the conversations and recycling lasted on average 2 minutes, although I had to work with others, and help them help the environment.
8. DID I SHOW PERSEVERANCE AND COMMITMENT? When preparing the costume I went after Mr. Dickinson everyday to discuss specific details of my costume, and every meeting we had I arrived earlier. During the day I had to face some people who did not manage/try to pay attention or understand what I was trying to propose wearing that costume. But I was persistent and continued trying to pass on the message, and look for other people.
9. WAS I ENGAGED WITH ISSUES OF GLOBAL IMPORTANCE? Yes, recycling is definitely an issue of global importance, the killing of trees and waste of paper is harmful to the environment. Even though I addressed it on a local level, it is a worldwide issue.
10. WHERE THERE ETHNICAL IMPLICATIONS? No, not during the process of the creation of the costume nor the Halloween day.
12. DID I DEVELOP NEW SKILLS? I definitely improve my arts and craft skills. I had to collect the paper, cut and glue it around the can, making it stand out so that it would impact people at school. My communication skills were also improved, as I had to talk to people in an entertaining manner about a very serious issue.
13. HOW DID THIS ACTIVITY BUILD CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEARNER PROFILE? It definitely helped me build my risk-taking character, as wearing such an unique and impacting costume such as a trash can required that. The action of recycling is definitely a caring action towards the environment, so throughout the entire day I was caring and motivating others to be just as caring. Communication was a challenge and for sure a characteristic this activity help me build up. I had a very serious message to transmit and doing it in a funny and not boring way required a very strong communicator characteristic.
2. WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY? I would have probably have started to make it earlier, for example right after I had the idea, so that there would be some time to create small leaflets explaining my goal with the costume. Like that a greater amount of people, which I did not get the chance of speaking to during the day, would understand in greater depth what caused be to create and wear that costume.
3. HOW DID MY AWARENESS OF MY STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES INCREASE? Regarding my strength I realized that I do not fear daring activities, I am able to step up and take a risk, regarding of the result. I also understood that I am able to articulate a conversation regarding an intense issue in various formats, communicative skills are definitely one of my strengths. As to my weaknesses I had to work on my organizations skills, so that I could pass on the information and make it more effective with pamphlets. Another weakness revealed in this project is my lack of professionalism with those who would not respect the cause I was trying to defend, people who understood this simply as a joke. I wasted my time insisting on people who were not mature enough to carry on a conversation like that, but I was stubborn and persisted on something that would not give me a positive result rather than going after people who would respect my cause and take my action seriously.
4. HAVE I UNDERTAKEN NEW CHALLENGES? Yes, it was hard to put on that costume and walk around my teachers and other pupils, as it was very different from everything that was being worn that day. Talking to people about recycling, in a more basic and effective format was hard, because when I approached people, the humor was grater than any issue, and managing to get over that and talk about the issue with respect became a challenge especially with the first couple of people I talked to. I think it was a little daring to wear a costume with such a global implication during Halloween it did scare me that I would not get the reaction I expected from people, but I managed to put the insecurity aside and go on with my aim.
5. DID I PLAN AND ORGANIZE ACTIVITIES? I did plan the days of the creation of the costume and meetings with Mr. Dickinson, although no activity was planned in this project.
6. HOW DID ANY PREVIOUS SKILLS HELP ME PERSUE MY GOAL? Every year we are allowed to dress-up during Halloween for school, I make my costume myself. This precious experience helped me when creating this costume, as I had an idea of things that fit the occasion and would actually be feasible with the budget I had and the time I had to complete it. In other words it helped me put my feet on the ground and get working with what I had. The fact that I am the secretary from the student guild did improve my communication skills. With that post I managed to understand and experience the different tones and diction when approaching various different ages and people, such as students, teachers, heads and staff.
7. DID I WORK COLLABORATIVELY? During the process I mainly worked on a one to one basis with Mr. Dickinson when creating the costume, we discussed ideas, and tried to work things out so that the costume to best achieve my initial goal. During the Halloween day I had to work around the school with students and teachers recycling all types of paper. It was not extremely intense, the conversations and recycling lasted on average 2 minutes, although I had to work with others, and help them help the environment.
8. DID I SHOW PERSEVERANCE AND COMMITMENT? When preparing the costume I went after Mr. Dickinson everyday to discuss specific details of my costume, and every meeting we had I arrived earlier. During the day I had to face some people who did not manage/try to pay attention or understand what I was trying to propose wearing that costume. But I was persistent and continued trying to pass on the message, and look for other people.
9. WAS I ENGAGED WITH ISSUES OF GLOBAL IMPORTANCE? Yes, recycling is definitely an issue of global importance, the killing of trees and waste of paper is harmful to the environment. Even though I addressed it on a local level, it is a worldwide issue.
10. WHERE THERE ETHNICAL IMPLICATIONS? No, not during the process of the creation of the costume nor the Halloween day.
12. DID I DEVELOP NEW SKILLS? I definitely improve my arts and craft skills. I had to collect the paper, cut and glue it around the can, making it stand out so that it would impact people at school. My communication skills were also improved, as I had to talk to people in an entertaining manner about a very serious issue.
13. HOW DID THIS ACTIVITY BUILD CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LEARNER PROFILE? It definitely helped me build my risk-taking character, as wearing such an unique and impacting costume such as a trash can required that. The action of recycling is definitely a caring action towards the environment, so throughout the entire day I was caring and motivating others to be just as caring. Communication was a challenge and for sure a characteristic this activity help me build up. I had a very serious message to transmit and doing it in a funny and not boring way required a very strong communicator characteristic.