The Elyon Learning Exhibition is an annual event which allows students to set-up booths and businesses based on the theme of environmental challenges present. Students from all streams participated in the exhibition to showcase their learning.
We started the day off in the Student Lounge where we enjoyed a painting activity with Elyoners. We painted using kits provided by ‘I’m not trash’ which utilised plastic waste and wood powder to create sturdy and smooth pieces of laser-cut blocks. We were welcomed by the Principal of Elyon. We were also honoured to be addressed by the Head of the Directorate of Junior High Schools, Surabaya, who was invited as a guest for the exhibition.
Elyoners set up stalls and exhibition booths around the corridors and canteen. Food stalls sold locally made coffee, as well as environmentally friendly food items such as rice crackers made from leftover rice and lemon zest candy made from lemon peels. A few exhibition booths caught our attention. One of which was a fundraising booth for a student chapter of an external organisation, Bye Bye Plastic, that supports beach cleanups, encourages plastic recycling and raises funds to support their cause. Students sold T-shirts and tote bags, and it was inspiring to see such a project led by youth. Another interesting project was done by the Science stream students who repurposed banana peels into bioethanol alcohol. It was amazing to see how food waste could be recycled into energy sources. Another notable project was Eco Savour, an app which allowed users to buy leftover surplus food from nearby restaurants to prevent them from becoming food waste. We think this application is extremely useful in reducing food wastage and providing cheap food for users.
As Social Innovation students, we were inspired and amazed by all the creative ideas presented as they showed us solutions to local environmental problems using science, art and technology. We sincerely enjoyed our second visit to Elyon Christian School and appreciate the hospitality shown to us through our trip.