THE MAKERSPACE
The Adventure Makerspace & Design Lab is a unique makerspace program where students repair, design, and produce their own outdoor gear using both high-tech and low-tech tools such as computers, 3D printers, and sewing machines. These programs are ongoing as we are always producing items for our own trips as well as looking for new projects to benefit others and their communities. Our students learn the basics of repair and design, using up-cycling and sustainable techniques to keep their clothing and outdoor gear functioning longer, supporting the environment by cutting down on consumption. They also learn how to repurpose used gear reinforcing their role in the environmental sustainability movement.
UP-CYCLING & REPAIRING
Our team coming up with creative ways to Up-Cycle and repair Patagonia jackets. We’re doing this to offset the amount of waste that goes into the landfill. Fashion is the number 2 pollutant in the world and we’re doing our part turning waste into wearable pieces. Up-Cycling is an environmentally friendly way of transforming something we would normally through away - like a torn jacket or a milk cartoon- into something new. Up-Cycling is a fun way to use creative thinking. Each year we teach students how to repair jackets and other gear. Extending the use of our clothing and other things helps reduce waste - which is good for the environment.
SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH ART & DESIGN
CLIMATE CHANGE QUILT
The Climate Change Quilt Project was inspired by the students of CatRock learning about the AIDS Memorial Quilt from 1987. The AIDS Quilt became a tipping point for fighting HIV/AIDS. To this day it is considered one of the largest and most impactful community art projects in history. With this in mind, the students of CatRock created an outlet to express themselves, add their voices to the climate change fight and bring that awareness to our elected officials. The Climate Change Quilt uses a blend of upcycled materials & crafts, creating informational panels and artwork that educates the public about climate change, creates community, and encourages people to take action. Our students hope to display the quilt in Washington, D.C. to have their voices be heard by a broader community.
The Climate Change Quilt project was started through the generosity of The Cowan Slavin Foundation and Patagonia.
THE JOURNEY
From our design Lab to local public schools like In-Tech, MS/HS 368, Belmont, West Bronx, H.E.R.O, Health Opportunities, Marble Hill, Law & Finance, PS 315, and PS 159, our goal is to educate our kids on the significance of global warming and the effect of our carbon footprint. We have doubled our Climate Change quilt with over 10 schools in the Bronx this year, designing 20 -25 panels per class, our tech experts provide a tutorial on how to use the sewing machine, where we have sewn hundreds of 10 x 10 square panels to the quilt with each of our students. Our design lab started with a few of our local schools, and we have experienced a 50% expansion of the schools we are partnering with this year. We intend on expanding our Climate Change Quilt and our CatRock community of students, teachers and schools next year. At CatRock’s Adventure & Design Lab we use the quilt to teach kids about the increase in climate change through art and design. Whether its a trip to one of our local public schools, a pop up venture at the American Museum of Natural History or Patagonia, we educate students about the environment at a young age to help change the narrative of how to protect our future environment!
