Vision

Recycled Runway is a student-initiated project using creativity to raise awareness about environmental issues through the design and showcase of fashion made from recycled and textile items.

Action

Initial Ideation: Students engaged in an Ideation Period for their next project by walking to an EP mindset wall and brainstorming ideas based on different mindsets on large poster paper. They were encouraged to be creative in their poster design and presented some ideas at the end of the class.

Structured Ideation with Mindsets: The class focused on picking and learning about specific mindsets (Creativity, opportunity-seeking, curiosity). For each defined mindset, students went back to their brainstorming work to find the corresponding logo and come up with a project idea.

Project Selection: Small groups came up with answers for select topics and questions. The class then used the MASCH Game to choose their next project idea, which resulted in voting on “Recycled Runway”. All of these pre-steps were rooted in the need for climate action.

Individual Brainstorming & Design: Students received an individual handout to choose an environmental issue to bring awareness to, choose materials needed for their outfit to send this message, and sketch their fashion ideas, making use of the design-thinking process as their ‘map’.

Designing and Creating Outfits: Dedicated time was allocated for Sketching, starting the design of “Recycled Item Outfits”, and working on “Upcycled Item Outfits”. Two volunteer seamstresses joined in the class to support the sewing.

Fashion Show Planning: Planning for the final Fashion Show took place. This included tasks like song selection and preparing the Outfit Description. The outfit description was intended to help raise awareness to each outfit’s illustrated problem and describe the journey of the incorporated items.

Rehearsal and Final Showcase: The project schedule included a Dress Rehearsal leading up to the Final Showcase, Recycled Runway, attended by the school community and parents.

Reflection & Celebration

The final Recycled Runway Showcase was the celebration of their creativity, learning, and sharing of awareness and need for youth to participate in climate action.

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