Hi, my name is Charitha Ankam, I am An MYP5 (grade10) student studying in Sreenidhi International School. For this personal project, I created eco-friendly crayons aimed for children aged three to eight. I chose this topic because making eco-friendly crayons can be helpful for children and it is a safer way for them to enjoy colours. It can also prevent them from any health issues if the crayons are accidentally consumed. Our environment is facing many problems such as pollution and global warming, these problems are mainly caused by factories and industrial activities. If this continues to happen, the planet’s temperature will increase trapping the sun’s heat and raising temperatures which will cause many problems for animals and humans. We will face new challenges like extreme weather, heat waves, warming oceans, rising sea levels and melting glaciers. Creating eco friendly organic crayons will also have a long term effect on the environment because the use of artificial materials will decrease. Eco friendly crayons are made from natural materials which are safe for wild animals, humans and the environment; they are not toxic and it can stop the use of factories and industrial activities.

This project has a personal connection because I have a brother aged 5 and have noticed his interest in arts from a very young age, especially using crayons to colour his pictures. There were many times where my little brother accidentally put crayons or paint while having fun colouring his pictures but sometimes he would experience allergic reactions with the materials being used in normal crayons. Little kids like him can get health issues with chemicals and artificial wax and pigments used as they are young and their body is still developing. My learning goal for this project was to develop entrepreneurial skills but also learn the effects of artificial pigments and wax on children and the environment. By the end of this project I want to achieve making eco-friendly crayons so they can be safe and fun to use for little children and also start a small business for my product. Eventually in the future I would like to include other eco-friendly art products to expand my business. My product goal was to create eco-friendly crayons and promote them on the website. The website also includes an online store for those who are interested to buy my product.

Throughout this project I have become a better learner as an individual but also as an IB student. There were many challenges I had to face, however they helped me develop and learn many skills and I was able to come out of my comfort zone to try something new. I was also able to create a product which is safe for the environment while facing new challenges and learning different skills. I developed entrepreneurial skills by starting a small business with more eco-friendly art products to come in the future.