Ecological Project: Home Waste Recycling in Telesecundaria Cucapah

October 27, 2009 - Winning a prestigious national award is impressive enough.  When the majority of your learning is self-motivated, with lessons provided by a satellite downlink rather than in-class instruction, it’s even more impressive.  That’s what the Telesecondaria (satellite middle school) students of the Cucapah tribe accomplished this year.

The Premio Nacional “Amanda Rimoch” a la Educación Ambiental is a major public recognition from the Mexican Secretary of Enviroment and Natural Resources, Secretary of Public Education, the Mexico City Junior League and the Liomont Foundation.  Students from schools all over Mexico submit environmentally focused projects for consideration.

The Cucapah students—all fellows of Comunidad’s Beca (Scholarship) program—won the recognition for their project “Recycling Domestic Waste” and its impact on the Cucapah tribe.  The project was an outgrowth of their science class, giving the students a real-world application of their lessons.

“We couldn’t be prouder of these students,” said Teresa Moreno, Director of Comunidad’s Beca program.  “To compete—and win—against schools and students with so much more in the way of resources is a real tribute to their dedication.  The sponsors of these children should be proud of the opportunity they’ve given these kids to learn and grow.” 

First grade of Telesecondaria (7th grade in US system) worked with plastic bags, second grade (8th grade) recycled plastic bottles, while the third grade (9th grade) experimented with recycling cooking oil.  The plastic was recycled into brooms, vases and chairs, while the cooking oil, when combined with native plants, yielded a rich soap for spa use.

The winners of this prestigious award are:
Ceceña Sainz Sergio Francisco, Laguna Beltrán Jesús Antonio, Saiz Carrillo Samuel, Carrillo Saiz Jesús Misael,  Rapp Avila Daniela, Jauregui Laguna Ramón, Galaviz Saiz Alfonso , Soto Torres Jaziel, Laguna Beltrán Reyna Gabriela, Galaviz Saenz Dayana.

The students have voted to take the prize money ($10,000 US dollars) and put it towards laptops and a WiFi system for the tribal community.

Photos of many of these students can be viewed here.

A video (in Spanish) about the project can be viewed here.