Earth Day 2026

1. Overview

To celebrate Earth Day 2026, we propose launching "The Art of Compost", a district-wide initiative for our Compost Pilot Schools. This program invites students to transform their standard green compost "toters" (bins) into educational murals.

This initiative connects STEAM education (Science and Art) with civic engagement. By displaying these decorated bins at the front of our schools, we will increase community visibility for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) sustainability efforts and our partnership with Fertile Earth Worm Farm.

2. Program Objectives

• Increase Participation: Make the composting program "cool" and visible to students who may not be currently participating.
• Community Awareness: Signal to parents and the community that the school is an active participant in environmental stewardship by displaying bins in high-traffic areas.
• Creative Expression: Allow art students to interpret the science of composting through visual media.

3. The Theme

The artwork must interpret the theme of sustainability through composting. Students are encouraged to visualize the journey from food scraps to soil, the role of worms/microbes, and the importance of reducing landfill waste, and how the earth cycle keeps the earth beautiful.

4. Contest Guidelines & Logistics

A. The "Canvas"

• Schools will decorate one (1) inactive compost toter. (Additional toter?)
• Material Constraints: Students must use weather-resistant materials (acrylics, spray paint, sealed paper).
• Operational Safety: The decoration must not interfere with the functionality of the bin. The lid must open freely, and the lifting bar/wheels must remain unpainted and unobstructed for the Fertile Earth trucks to service them.

B. The Display

During April 22–27 (public display and voting), the decorated toter should be at the front of the school (main entrance or parent drop-off loop) for maximum visibility.

C. Submission Process

1. Snap: A high-resolution photo is taken of the finished bin (students included in the photo is optional but encouraged). We encourage creativity.
2. Post: The school uploads the photo to their official Instagram or Facebook account.
3. Tag: The post must tag @FertileEarthWormFarm and use the hashtags #MDCPSComposts and #FertileEarthDay2026.
4. Confirm: An email with the link to the post is sent to the contest administrator.

5. Timeline

• Design and execution by Student Art Team: April 22
• Public display and voting: April 22–27
• Winner announced: April 29/30

6. Voting & Recognition

Voting will be determined by social media engagement to drive traffic to the school's commitment to sustainability.

• Criteria: The toter with the most “Likes” and “Shares” on the official post by the end of the voting period (April 27).
• Judges Choice: Fertile Earth Worm Farm will select one "Creative Innovation" winner based on artistic merit and adherence to the theme.

7. Announcement of Winners & Publicity

To maximize recognition for the students and the District, the announcement of the winners will be coordinated across three primary channels around April 29/30:

A. Fertile Earth Newsletter Feature

• The winning school, along with the 2nd and 3rd place runners-up, will be the headline feature in the Fertile Earth Monthly Newsletter.
• This will include a photo spread of the winning designs and a short interview with the school's lead teacher or art students.

B. MDCPS Website Recognition

• We will coordinate with the Department of Communications/STEAM to secure an "Honorable Mention" or "Sustainability Spotlight" on the relevant section of the MDCPS website.
• This serves to formally recognize the winning school's administration for their leadership in environmental science.

C. Social Media Blast

• Winner Announcement Post: Fertile Earth will post a dedicated "Winner's Circle" graphic on Instagram and Facebook, tagging the winning schools and MDCPS.
• Stories: We will re-share all entry submissions to our Stories throughout the day to ensure every participating school gets visibility, regardless of whether they won.