The River Whale (so-called for its mimicry of the baleen whale’s filter-feeding system) captures floating waste in waterways 24/7 and can retain up to three cubic metres of litter. With billions of kilograms of plastic waste entering oceans through river systems each year, the River Whale is a sustainable, eco-friendly solution to minimise the growth of “plastic oceans”. ISD’s Director, Frank Tschan, also joined the inauguration with the students. “What we’ve seen today is a tremendous example of our students taking local action to address global issues,” Mr Tschan said.
“Our belief at the International School of Düsseldorf is that learning should inspire students to be curious, to be creative, and to find imaginative solutions to problems in their world.” As part of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) at ISD, children are encouraged to contemplate complex social and environmental issues and to effect positive change in their local communities.
In grade 3 last year, as part of a unit of inquiry that examined supply chains, our students set themselves the ambitious challenge of organising a sustainable Christmas market fundraiser with a negligible waste output. They quickly discovered that this wouldn’t be easy: baking supplies often use single use plastics; much of the fresh produce they consume is transported from overseas, thereby contributing to atmospheric pollution; and unwanted plastic christmas ornaments can endure in landfill for centuries.
The students overcame these obstacles by repurposing recycled clothing and materials to make biodegradable decorations; eliminating virtually all plastics; and investigating different recipes with a view to using local products and minimising waste. The market raised around 1620 euros, which the students agreed would be donated to support a River Clean-up initiative.
Mr Tschan said that the school has a long and storied history in Düsseldorf and is “joining forces” with the city to make a difference. “ISD is firmly committed to forging strong partnerships here in Düsseldorf so that we can multiply the impact our students will make on this beautiful city. This is something
we’ve done for more than 50 years.” “We look forward to joining our Kaiserswerth neighbours at the Rhine Clean-up on Saturday 12 September!”
[ENDS] 8 September 2020
Founded in 1968, the International School of Düsseldorf (ISD) is a not-for-profit, independent, co-educational day school located in the heart of the international community of Kaiserswerth. One of the oldest and largest international schools in Germany, ISD offers both national and international qualifications to around 930 students from over 50 countries. All income is invested back into the school for the benefit of the students.
The school has a proud history of supporting young people to pursue their dreams and ambitions, in all walks of life, and in all corners of the globe. ISD delivers an outstanding education that prepares students to be successful and inspires them to make a difference; an education that will equip them with the skills and aptitudes to tackle the global challenges they will face.
ISD is committed to providing every student with the individual support they need to flourish, to discover pleasure in learning, to become autonomous and intrinsically motivated, and, ultimately, to become architects of their own futures.
The International School of Düsseldorf takes great pride in being the only school in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region that is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IB). ISD is also a member of the Association of German International Schools (AGIS) and the European Council of International Schools (ECIS).
International School of Düsseldorf e.V.
Niederrheinstrasse 336
40489 Düsseldorf
Telefon: +49 (211) 94066
Telefax: +49 (211) 9406804
https://www.isdedu.de/
Marketing Manager
Telefon: +49 (0) 211-9406 822
E-Mail: ingenhovend@isdedu.de
