Waste to Wonder: Bioplastics

Session 3: August 5 - 16, 2024

Waste to Wonder: Bioplastics

Plastic is everywhere. It has reached the depths of the ocean and every link in the food chain. Many of our consumer products and industrial processes depend on plastics - yet one-third of all plastics being made today will end up in the planet’s ecosystems. Developing biodegradable alternatives for plastic are among our biggest and most urgent innovation challenges.

In the studio "Waste to Wonder," students embark on a mission to reimagine single-use event items with biodegradable materials. From birthday parties to music festivals, the goal is to craft biodegradable objects that make a positive impact on the environment long after the event ends. Think decorations, accessories, or utensils and transforming them using bioplastics like mycelium, potato starch, or gelatin. Through students' creative endeavors, they aim to leave a lasting positive impact on the environment, transforming disposable objects into eco-friendly celebrations!

Tuition: $

2090

Through online registration, a deposit of $200 is paid via credit card. The final payment is paid by check.

Skills
Taught

  • Research and Documentation
  • Biodegradable Material Exploration
  • Packaging Design
  • CAD and 3D Modeling
  • Prototyping Tools

Skills Taught

  • Research and Documentation
  • Biodegradable Material Exploration
  • Packaging Design
  • CAD and 3D Modeling
  • Prototyping Tools

Real World Relevance

  1. Environmental Impact: Address the urgent need for sustainable solutions in the face of plastic pollution, as a significant portion of plastics currently ends up in ecosystems, contributing to environmental degradation.
  2. Sustainable Design Innovation: Explore alternative materials and innovative processes to reduce reliance on traditional plastics, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
  3. Future-focused Intervention: Empower students to envision alternative futures for plastic consumption, recycling, and reuse, emphasizing the importance of forward-thinking solutions in waste management.
  4. Material Exploration: Hand on exploration of the diverse world of bioplastics and various forms of biodegradable materials, their properties, advantages, and potential applications.
  5. Ideation and Prototyping: Generate unique ideas for bioplastic interventions and packaging solutions, engaging in an iterative design process to refine and prototype innovative concepts.
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