Prairieview Students Participate in Shedd Aquarium's 'Wreath-Cycle'

From empty pop cans and old newspapers to tennis balls and fabric scraps, students from Prairieview School in Hainesville demonstrated how creative and resourceful they were when they teamed up with the Shedd Aquarium for its "Wreath-Cycled Classroom Challenge."

Sponsored by the McDonald's Owner Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (MOCNI), the sustainability project encouraged Chicago-area classrooms to reduce, reuse and "wreath-cycle."

The theme for this year's project was “Animal Connections." Each classroom entry was accompanied by a short essay to address the impact of recycling on wildlife.

The festive wreaths, made from 100 percent recycled or recyclable materials are being displayed throughout the halls of the Shedd Aquarium, including the Caribbean Reef rotunda now through Jan. 7.

“Wreath-Cycled Classroom Challenge is a festive, hands-on activity to have kids start thinking about sustainability in a fun way,” said Melissa Williams, vice president of learning at Shedd, in a press release.

Sheddis also holding a contest for the project in which one winner will be chosen in each participating grade level in the categories of Overall Winner, Most Creative and Best Educational Message.

Students in participating classrooms, including Prairieview, have been invited to the Shedd for free on Saturday for a celebration with Ronald McDonald and to hear the announcement of the winners.

Though the Shedd's Facebook page, one "Fan Favorite" will be selected as determined by votes.

The winning classrooms will be treated to an all-inclusive field trip to Shedd, hosted by members of Shedd’s Auxiliary Board.

Information provided by Shedd Aquarium