Incline Middle School’s Trash to Treasure initiative, launched in late 2022 with grants from both the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science Innovation and Technology (OSIT) and the Tahoe Fund, combines STEM, environmental stewardship, and art to provide students with hands-on learning while benefiting the community and the local environment.
The program brings together students, local service groups, and community members to collect trash and debris from the Tahoe Basin. Usable pieces are then transformed into art created by IMS students and designed to raise awareness about the importance of keeping the Basin clean. Students take the lead in the trash collection process by using drones and robots to search for trash around the lake, beaches, and public areas, and then track the data and identify where more trash receptacles or signage may be needed to improve visitor behavior.
The second phase of the program focuses on creating public art and messaging to promote “taking care of Tahoe”. Projects in the Incline Middle School Exploratory classes empower students to design and build art pieces from the collected trash. The artwork is displayed in the school and public locations around Incline Village during the summer months. The “Bear Box Beautification” is another Exploratory project where students paint the trash receptacles around town. These exhibits showcase the creativity of our students and serve as a powerful visual reminder to promote sustainable recreation and environmental responsibility through the student created public service messaging to Love our Lake and to Not Mess with Tessie.
Through the Trash to Treasure program, students develop critical skills in robotics, data analysis, and project management, while also gaining hands-on experience in environmental science, public art, and marketing. Their efforts also raise awareness about sustainable practices for both locals and tourists, preparing them for future careers in STEM fields.
