Hershey Montessori School’s Upper School students recently completed a multi-week environmental research project and community book study inspired by “Inconspicuous Consumption: The Environmental Impact You Don’t Know You Have,” by the late Tatiana Schlossberg. The project, part of the Hunts burg Township school’s Physics, Energy, and the Environment theme, brought together students, families, and community members for meaningful conversations about climate impact and personal responsibility, according to a release from the school. Students began the project by reading Schlossberg’s book, which reveals the hidden environmental effects behind everyday items and actions across four categories — technology, food, fashion, and fuel. The students engaged in rich seminar discussions as they explored examples such as how streaming a movie in New York can burn coal in Virginia, or how purchasing inexpensive cashmere in Chicago can contribute to desertification in Mongolia. These insights provided the foundation for the next phase of their work, the release stated. Following their reading, students researched the life cycle of everyday items they personally use, examining raw materials, energy use, production processes, transportation, consumption, and disposal. Their findings mirrored the structure of Schlossberg’s writing and helped deepen their understanding of interconnected global systems. The culminating events took place at two public locations: Chardon Library and Lake Erie College in Painesville, where students presented their research and facilitated community book discussions. Community members were invited to participate with or without prior preparation, and many joined simply out of interest in environmental issues and adolescent-led learning. Attendees described the discussions as eye-opening, relevant, and impressively student-driven, the release said. “Their passion, curiosity, and thoughtful engagement were evident throughout both events. They did a fantastic job, and their posters were great. My college students really enjoyed the experience,” said Cari Ritzenthaler, Ph.D., Lake Erie College Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, School of Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Animal and Medical Sciences (STREAMS), in the release. Hershey students demonstrated maturity, confidence, and a strong command of the subject matter as they led conversations, presented their research, and connected the book’s themes to real-world challenges. The project showcased Hershey Montessori School’s commitment to meaningful, hands-on adolescent work—giving students opportunities to explore complex issues, conduct research, and contribute to conversations that extend beyond the classroom, according to the release. ...read more read less