Twenty-six rain barrels from 19 schools are entered in the first annual Porter County School Rain Barrel Design Contest that will take place at the 2013 Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration.
“Each individual who attends the Earth Day event will be able to cast a vote for his or her favorite barrel,” said Donna Stuckert, public education coordinator at the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County.
The schools were invited to participate in the competition where the winning school or class will earn an extra pair of hands; two hand chairs made out of recycled plastic, that is. Participating schools were supplied with rain barrels that classes could paint or design using environmentally friendly materials.
“The rain barrel project will also give teachers the opportunity to discuss the importance of water conservation and other environmental topics,” said Stuckert.
The contest is sponsored by the Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County in cooperation with the MS4 communities in Porter County.
The Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration will take place from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 E. Division Road. Visitors will have until 3 p.m. to cast their votes. The winners will be announced at 4 p.m.
Participating schools include: Chesterton High School; Chesterton Middle school; Cooks Corners Elementary; Crisman Elementary; Discovery Charter School; Duneland Montessori Academy; Hayes Leonard Elementary; Immanuel Lutheran School; Kouts Elementary; Liberty Intermediate; Memorial Elementary; Neighbors New Vistas High School; Northview Elementary; Parkview Elementary; Saint Paul Catholic School; St. Patrick; Victory Christian Academy; Westchester Intermediate School; Willowcreek Middle School.
For more information on the 2013 Northwest Indiana Earth Day Celebration, visit www.ItMeansTheWorld.org or call 219-465-3819.
The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is an agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life for Porter County residents by providing convenient, voluntary waste reduction services.