Our Mission
Recycling Chatbot is a free educational tool designed for K–12 students. Recycling Chatbot generates ideas for hands-on projects using recyclable materials, such as cardboard or paper, to teach kids about sustainable engineering practices in an engaging way. Additionally, the chatbot sends links to Scratch programs that teach kids various principles, from the rules of recycling to food waste facts, through gamification. By using recyclable materials, we involve kids in STEM using items they can find at home, making our projects affordable and equitable to all.
What We Offer
🎨 Creative Projects
Transform everyday recyclables like cardboard, paper, and bottles into exciting engineering projects.
📱 Material Scanner
Use our AI-powered scanner to identify recyclable materials and get instant project suggestions.
🎮 Interactive Learning
Access Scratch games that teach sustainability principles through gamification.
🏆 Progress Tracking
Earn awards as you complete projects and advance through different engineering levels.
Sample Projects
Magazine Collage Art
Create vibrant artwork while learning about color theory and design principles.
Cardboard Marble Run
Build physics experiments that demonstrate gravity, momentum, and engineering design.
Bottle Vertical Garden
Construct sustainable growing systems and learn about plant biology.
Water Filter Experiment
Engineer filtration systems and explore environmental science concepts.
Our Impact
The STEM for Change Club presented our Recycling Chatbot to the New Jersey STEAM Tank Challenge (hosted by the NJ School Board Association), modeled after the hit show Shark Tank. After making it through the qualifying regional round, we were selected as one of the top 10 high school teams and won a $500 scholarship in the State Finals. We partnered with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) to make recycling easy and equitable for all. Our chatbot is now available to all students in Atlantic County, NJ, and beyond.
May 22nd STEAM Tank State Finals
Technology
Our platform uses modern web technologies including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The chatbot is designed to be universally accessible through any web browser, from school Chromebooks to home computers.