Her students spent their time researching sea turtles, talking with experts, making public service announcements and posters, and creating products to sell. Laura’s students have made car magnets, calendars, books and bracelets, but this year, she wanted to do more than just raise awareness – she wanted to sell a product that directly impacts the sea turtles her students have come to love. For someone who hasn’t used plastic bags in seven years, it was an easy decision to create reusable bags. “It isn’t just about the product, but it’s also about awareness of sea turtle hazards. We wanted to be proactive with our efforts,” Laura says.

This class fundraising project that started years ago has now grown into a school-wide effort to save sea turtles and make a positive impact on the environment. “Whether it is by researching books and videos, by creating the morning school commercials, or by designing the logos and products we sell, so many people at school are helping these students make a difference,” Laura says. “We can’t redo what we’ve already done, but we can make a difference going forward, and it we know it needs to start with the next generation.”