STEM Project – Sustainable Picnic Blanket
Make a sustainable picnic blanket using recycled crisp packaging and fabric!
Success story:
Aditi, Soha, Venya, and Sanjana are Team Quadrifolium from Tonbridge. Their idea of making a picnic blanket using litter picked/recycled crisp packages from their school and the local park was an award-winning entry in the BIEA 2021 STEM competition ‘Repack to Restore Our World’. This year they shared the howto with FEM STEM girls in the Bahamas who followed the instruction and made a picnic blanket that carried unique Bahamian heritage.
This beautiful creation was chosen by The Bahamas – First Lady Ann Marie Davis as a symbolic gift to Kate, Duchess of Cambridge on her visit to the country. To symbolise friendship, peace and commitment to our environment and STEM education.
What skills/knowledge are learnt? (a few are listed here)
- Our environment
- Teamworking/collaboration
- Communication
- Risk management
- Chemical properties of materials
- Sewing skills
- Art & Design
Be a creative changemaker & BIEA Sustainability Champion!
The British International Education Association is calling for students from schools in the UK and beyond to be part of this skill-sharing project and raise awareness of sustainability in schools among the decision-makers in our governments.
On 24th May 2022, we showcased the project outcomes to MPs and industry leaders at the BIEA 2022 STEM Conference hosted by MP Marcus Fysh in the Houses of Parliament.
The project is ongoing, our efforts will continue!!!
Sustainable picnic blanket from Cheltenham School
Sustainable picnic blanket made by Felsted Primary School
MP Marcus Fysh opened the BIEA STEM Conference 2022
Due to demand, the project deadline is Extended: 30 August 2022
Postal address: BIEA, The Granville, 140 Carlton Vale, London NW6 5HE, please drop us an email to let us know you’ve posted it.
(If you are not in the UK, then please send in the photo of your blanket and any videos/photo of your making process)
If your school can join us, meet this target and be part of the change-making process in school sustainability. Please sign up here and the how-to guide from Team Quadrifolium can be downloaded – BIEA Guide to Make Picnic Blanket Using Crisp Packets
Here are some wonderful examples we have received so far!
Monkspath School Solihull
Pilgrims’ School Winchester
All participating students in the picnic blanket project will receive a BIEA STEM Star Bronze e-certificate and their teachers will receive a Certificate of Recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What materials do I need? Answer: crisp packaging (from school lunches, home or litter picking exercises), fabric (unwanted curtains are a good choice), iron (to fuse the crisp packets), sewing machine or sewing by hand, thread, decoration materials.
- How long does it take to make the blanket? Answer: if you have the materials ready and you have a sewing machine, then super quick – The actual sewing with a machine takes less than 10min. You do need to allow time to fuse the crisp packets and make sure you do the melting point test. Overall the project can be done in 2 days.
- How big is the blanket? Answer: We recommend between 1 square meter (1m x 1m) to a maximum of 3 square meters (1.5m x 2m)
- What shape? Answer: Most designs are square, rectangles or circles.
- Do I need to write a note to go with the blanket? Answer: Yes, please write your message on a card to accompany the blanket.
- Photos/videos? Answer: Please take photos and videos and share with us about your making process.
Any questions, please call us or email us: communication@biea.org.uk
Thank you for your support!