One of my favorite aspects of Materials Girls is going on field trips so the girls can actually experience real life applications of STEM. A couple weeks ago we went to Resource Depot which is “a non-profit cREative REuse Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, dedicated to helping others see the creative value and potential in excess materials destined to be wasted. We help keep these items out of the waste stream by creatively reusing and upcycling them instead of throwing them away.” (“Resource Depot”). They have a store for people to buy upcycled/recycled items and workshops for people of any age.

During our visit, we participated in one of Resource Depot’s hands-on workshops, which focused on both environmental awareness and creativity. We first learned about the impact of plastic waste on ecosystems, particularly how single-use plastics accumulate in landfills and oceans where they can harm wildlife and take hundreds of years to break down. After discussing these environmental challenges, we put the concept of creative reuse into practice by making our own artwork using recycled and donated materials from the Depot. Using items such as scrap plastic, cardboard, and other leftover supplies, the girls designed unique pieces of art while learning that sustainability can be creative. The activity showed how STEM, environmental consciousness, and creativity can intersect, reinforcing the idea that small changes in how we use materials can help reduce waste and protect our planet.

References

“Resource Depot.” Resourcedepot, 2026, www.resourcedepot.org/.