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March
2008 • Recycle
Program teaches students importance
of recycling, citizenship |
Ben Phillips knows exactly what to
do when it comes to rebuilding computers – and he’s
only 14 years old.
“I know how to take off everything on a hard drive,
hook up cables for the Internet and install memory,” said
Phillips, an eighth-grader. “I started doing this
in seventh grade. I started because it seemed like fun
and I’ve always wanted to work with computers.”
Phillips is one of approximately 20 students at Rensselaer
Central Middle School who are involved in an innovative
recycling program titled Bombers StRUT (Students Recycling
Used Technology). The program, designed to recycle old
computers, teaches students skills in technology while
helping their fellow classmates in the process.
Bombers StRUT started two years ago when sixth-grade science
teacher and 2007 Indiana Computer Educators Teacher of
the Year Mark Heinig was helping the school install new
technology in the computer labs.
“I’m always looking for ways to increase technology
usage,” said Heinig. “[The school] was recycling
the old computers with the city anyway. Then, I thought
it would be great to give students who don’t have
computers the old ones.”
Heinig said he had read research that
shows increased performance on standardized tests for
students who had access to computers at home. “The computers we were
recycling were usable; they just couldn’t support
the new software.”
After approaching the technology director, Heinig began
teaching students in his advisory period (homeroom) the
skills they needed to clear off the computers and install
new operating systems.
Fourteen-year-old Zach Horner, eighth
grade, said he loves the program. “This really made me interested in computers,” he
said. “I’ve learned the basic components (to
computers). It is good, because [computers] are just part
of life nowadays. I think it’s great what we’re
doing to help. It makes me feel good inside to help.”
Heinig said the program has really
grown. “We almost
have to turn away computers because we have so many,” he
said. “People from the community are donating them
to us. We had to put up a shed to hold all of it. We call
it Recycle Central.”
The program not only teaches students
about recycling, but offers them real-life skills. “They are learning
good skills for the future,” said Heinig. “Technology
is here, whether people like it or not and it’s the
way of the future.”
Students in need of technology also
benefit from the Bombers StRUT program. According to
Heinig, students needing a home computer apply by having
a reference – other
than their parents – to vouch for them that the computer
will go to good use. They also write a one-page essay on
why they need it and want it and promise to recycle the
machine when they are done or return it for someone else.
“Siblings are also a factor in the selection process,” said
Heinig. “We look at how many people will be able
to use this.”
So far, Heinig’s students have
been able to give away 10 to 15 computers in two years.
Heinig has also received recycling grants from the Northwest
Indiana Solid Waste District for items such as the shed,
a utility cart for transporting the machines and the
supplies to wipe the hard drives.
“This could get really big,” said Heinig. “These
students are learning to help the environment by cutting
down on e-waste and help others in the school. They are
protecting the Earth while being responsible citizens.
It’s very worthwhile.” |
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