SALEM — Under the sunny morning sky, students marveled at a sun-powered trash-compactor bin, peered into the engine of a hybrid-electric car and played with miniature solar panels that drew in enough energy to run small plastic fans.
It was all part of an Earth Day celebration at Saltonstall Elementary School yesterday, where students in all grades learned about the environment through hands-on activities, such as planting seeds and trying to skim oil off a bucket of water in a simulated oil spill.
"We spilled one tablespoon of oil for our mock oil spill experiment," read a poster near the demonstration. "Exxon Valdez spilled enough oil to fill this auditorium NINE TIMES!!!"
Since the beginning of the school year, 55 students have participated in the Earth Kids after-school club, and they helped plan yesterday's activities. Earth Kids is divided into five teams who tackle different environmental issues.
"One way to make a difference," said teacher Jan Morris, who coordinates Earth Kids this year, "is to join together with other people and become advocates for the Earth."
Yesterday, members of Salem's Renewable Energy Task Force presented information to students, and the Saltonstall auditorium was filled with activity stations. Meanwhile, students ran an endangered animal obstacle course in the gymnasium and a recycle relay in the hallway.
"We're trying to tell people that the Earth is in danger," said Quanah Lawrence, 9, a member of the endangered animals Earth Kids team. "I love animals, and we're learning how to save them."
The Earth Kids club was founded about five years ago. In addition to Morris, this year's team leaders are teachers Maria Schwartz, Anne Robbins and Kara DeSalvo and parent Kathleen Hoff.
"I think they're going to take all this stuff back to their parents and educate them," said engineer Rob Derosier, a member of the task force who stood on the front walkway and demonstrated the "Big Belly" solar trash compactor for students.
