TVES Students Show How to Make a Difference at EcoFair

For the fifth year, has given students the chance to share how they can make a difference through different environmentally friendly projects and presentations. The EcoFair takes place around each year.

Special education teacher Meg Peterson organized the EcoFair and was more than pleased with the results. 

"We wanted some kind of event where the children could come up with ideas about recycling and conservation that they're passionate about and the kids get really excited about it," she said.

Participation is open to all of the students in the school and Peterson was proud to say that every classroom at TVES was represented in the fair. She also said a goal of this year's fair was to reduce waste.

"Our goal was to have less than two garbage cans of waste after the fair," Peterson said. "In past years, we've printed handouts and other things so we're trying to be more mindful of keeping that to a minimum."

The event also tied into the recently held . Peterson asked several inventors with eco-related projects to bring their projects back to school to display.

In addition to the inventions displays, the gymnasium, hallway and courtyard were lined with students' booths and presentations. Some shared tips on recycling, others showed how to repurpose waste. There were exhibits on wind power, making eco-friendly decisions, gardening and organic farming and more. 

All of the students were eager to share the information they had gathered and quick to explain their presentations, play their games or show off their creations.

There were also raffles throughout the area. Proceeds from raffle tickets sold benefit the school's eco-friendly programs, including the greenhouse located in the courtyard.

The day commenced with an all-school assembly featuring a concert by the 3rd-graders. Throughout the day, each of the classes got to return to the gym and courtyard to enjoy the EcoFair.

"They start to gain more of an understanding of the environment they live in and that every choice they make has an impact, whether it's to recycle, to plant in their gardens, to pick up waste they see in the communities," said Peterson.