This is finally the year!! I'm writing a Myth Makers unit on the mythological origins and imagery of Mardi Gras, plus incorporating an environmentally sustainable STEM challenge. (Not from Louisiana and need to brush up on the basics of Mardi Gras' origins and traditions? Read this National Geographic article.)
When I married a man from New Orleans, I became a frequent Mardi Gras reveler, enjoying many, many parades every season for the past 20 years or so. And I noticed immediately the plethora of classical connections, from the names of the krewes (Orpheus and Bacchus to name just two) to the float themes and decorations. Mardi Gras has deep roots in classical culture, not always the brightest aspects of it, but I knew that my Myth Makers would enjoy making some connections.
I also noticed that Mardi Gras is MESSY. The sheer volume of plastic used in throws such as cups, bags, trinkets, and of course, beads, was astounding to me. In fact, during a cleanup of the gutters in 2018 after a flood, the city of New Orleans cleaned out 46.5 TONS of beads along a short stretch of street! I've witnessed it myself - after a parade finishes, the streets are littered with plastic everything. Street sweepers come through and rid the pavement of tripping hazards for marching band musicians, but where does all that plastic go?
When I found out about a program called Plastics on Parade: Cultivating Responsible Parade Culture in Louisiana, I immediately started thinking about how I could get my students involved. Funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency through LSU's Dr. Jennifer Cook (a Girl Scout sister of mine), the program teaches kids about the environmental impacts of Mardi Gras and challenges the students to consider more sustainable solutions.
What we've done so far:
1. Investigate the names of Mardi Gras krewes for classical connections: my Myth Makers (all 66 of them) had to choose a classically-named krewe to research and discuss with a friend. The link above contains my list of them, but I know I missed some already. Since I'm hoping to make this an on-going project, I'll add as I learn of more or new ones.
2. Learn about what Mardi Gras plastic does to the environment: In this presentation, the students learned about sustainable initiatives such as Verdi Gras and companies that market and sell sustainable throws. I highly recommend their clickable presentation called "The Path of a Bead." It's full of jaw-dropping facts such as...did you know that Mardi Gras beads are made from plastic pellets called "nurdles," many of which are manufactured right here in Louisiana in one of the most carcinogenic processes in the world? Those nurdles are then shipped to China where companies produce cheap beads that are then shipped BACK to Louisiana for Mardi Gras.
3. Learn about LSU's Dr. Naohiro Kato and his team: A team of biochemical engineers at LSU has produced algae that can be dried and 3D printed into Mardi Gras beads. Some designs even have seeds built into them!
What we've done so far:
1. Investigate the names of Mardi Gras krewes for classical connections: my Myth Makers (all 66 of them) had to choose a classically-named krewe to research and discuss with a friend. The link above contains my list of them, but I know I missed some already. Since I'm hoping to make this an on-going project, I'll add as I learn of more or new ones.
2. Learn about what Mardi Gras plastic does to the environment: In this presentation, the students learned about sustainable initiatives such as Verdi Gras and companies that market and sell sustainable throws. I highly recommend their clickable presentation called "The Path of a Bead." It's full of jaw-dropping facts such as...did you know that Mardi Gras beads are made from plastic pellets called "nurdles," many of which are manufactured right here in Louisiana in one of the most carcinogenic processes in the world? Those nurdles are then shipped to China where companies produce cheap beads that are then shipped BACK to Louisiana for Mardi Gras.
3. Learn about LSU's Dr. Naohiro Kato and his team: A team of biochemical engineers at LSU has produced algae that can be dried and 3D printed into Mardi Gras beads. Some designs even have seeds built into them!
4. Discover the history and iconography of doubloons: These cheap aluminium coins are a collectible Mardi Gras staple, and they are full of classical myth connections. The students learned basic coin terminology, explored doubloon examples from many different krewes, and then sketched them. Side note: I had a ton of fun researching the history of doubloons - these are my favorite Mardi Gras delights!
5. STEM Challenge: The students have been tasked with developing three sustainable cardboard throws: a doubloon, a beaded necklace, and a signature throw, depending on the krewe they've chosen to design for. They are working in teams of three so that they each work on ONE item, but those throws have to match in theme and look.
Thanks to some grant money for this work, I was able to purchase some ChompSaws for easy and safe cardboard cutting, and the students are loving them so far. I can't wait to see what they create!
Thanks to some grant money for this work, I was able to purchase some ChompSaws for easy and safe cardboard cutting, and the students are loving them so far. I can't wait to see what they create!
When we're done with the challenge, we've decided to write letters to their krewes to suggest more sustainable throw alternatives. As I've told them, it will be up to the next generation of students/THEM to change how we run Mardi Gras. I KNOW they can do it!
