High-Level Project Summary
When you hear “environmental issues” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? What are the severe issues our planet facing? It’s no secret plastic pollution is one of our biggest issues.. so what now? As bad as we want to fix this issue, we’re far gone. But what if I told you, we’ve (literally) been sleeping on a superhero able to handle this issue? What if earth had a superpower? What if plastic eating bacteria grew on it? Millions of it too. Oh how relieving it’d be. No more recycling, toxins, inflicting harm on the wildlife , and last but not least, no more Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A garbage free world.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
I was racking my brain trying to come up with a superpower, but it was staring right at me. My earth superpower is a bacteria that digests plastic. Like the waxworm caterpillar bug, except it doesn’t harm bees. This superpower would eliminate plastic pollution, and rid us one of the terrible problems we’re facing. I used Google Slides.
Space Agency Data
I was inspired by a NASA article “the remote paradise with a plastic problem” and “notes from the field- plastic ocean”
Hackathon Journey
It was very informative! I learned about a new type of bug, and how enzymes help them digest plastic. I’ve always been passionate about earth and it’s problems so naturally when I saw this challenge I knew it was the one for me. The team is just me, and the challenges were mostly concerning time management (I’m in high school and I don’t have much time hence the hastiness and lack of expansion in the project.) Needless to say, I’m glad I got to participate. I’d like to thank NASA for being one of my greatest inspirations & the reason I’m more aware / educated on many topics, just like this challenge.
References
-inspiration: NASA.GOV
-resources: www.sciencedaily.com (on how wax worm caterpillars digest plastic)
-tools: Google Slides (for slide presentations)
-credits: To owners / creators (pictures used in presentations)
Tags
#pollution #saveourearth #superearth #stoppollution
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.