The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion last Friday judged its first Philadelphia Environmental Sculpture Contest.
The judges listened to student presentations at five schools: New Foundations Charter High School, 4850 Rhawn St.; Tacony Academy Charter High School, 6201 Tacony St.; Science Leadership Academy @ Beeber, 5925 Malvern Ave.; W.B. Saul, 7100 Henry Ave.; and Carver Engineering and Science, 16th and Norris streets.
Schools were instructed to create a minimum of 6-foot-tall sculptures incorporating living plants and repurposed/recycled materials.
New Foundations created a ladybug out of recycled materials, with plants inside the body. A separate structure was created for garden tools and wind chimes made out of crushed soda cans.
Tacony Academy created The Metamorphosis of Recycled Tires, inspired by the majestic butterfly. Freshman Shamary Rivera, junior Stephen Oprea and seniors Jymir Johnson and Sabree Perry created a strong foundation that was able to withstand Friday morning’s strong winds.
SLA Beeber created a giant hand out of rebar, fallen wood and PEX water piping.
Saul crafted a giant spider sitting on a flower out of rebar, plarn, wire, cloth, ribbon and other recycled materials.
Engineering and Science created a giant instrumental tree out of rebar, PVC piping, cable, hardware cloth, recycled bookshelves, soda cans and other recycled materials
In the end, the judges declared Saul the winner.
The Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion will turn Saul’s gymnasium into a butterfly pavilion for a day early next school year.
The museum will be bringing the Philadelphia Environmental Sculpture Contest back for a second year.
For more information, call 215-335-9500 or visit www.phillybutterflypavilion.org. ••
