Schools in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties are invited to participate in the sixth annual School Rain Barrel Design Competition. The event will take place at the 2018 Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration at the Porter County Expo Center on April 21.
All schools, public and private, and all grades can participate. Participation is limited to the first 35 registered schools. Teachers must register for the competition online at www.PorterCountyRecycling.org by March 2 or before the competition is filled, whichever comes first. Only one barrel allowed per school.
Schools will receive a rain barrel that they can paint or decorate with environmentally-friendly materials to illustrate an environmental theme.
“Participation in this contest really gives educators an opportunity to talk about the environment and water with their students,” said Donna Stuckert, public education coordinator. “At the Earth Day event, visitors will be treated to an array of artwork and creativity.”
Competitors for 2018 currently include: A.K. Smith Career Center, Andrean High School, Area Career Center University, Boone Grove Elementary, Discovery Charter School, Martin T. Krueger Middle School, Highland High School, Hobart Middle School, Joseph L. Block Middle School, Kouts Elementary School, Lowell High School, McKinley Elementary School, Merrillville High School, Michigan City High School, Montessori Children's Schoolhouse, Nativity of Our Savior School, Our Lady of Grace School, Portage High School, South Haven Elementary School, and St. Patrick School.
Barrels will be judged by the visitors attending the Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Awards will be given in each of two categories: 1) Elementary and 2) Middle, intermediate and high school. Winners will receive cash classroom scholarships up to $150.
For more information, call 219-465-3819.
Porter County Recycling & Waste Reduction is an agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life by providing services and educational programs which help residents reduce, reuse, and recycle.