Go Green at the Indiana State Museum!

The Indiana State Museum has become one of many sites in Indiana geared toward people who are looking to be more environmentally responsible. On March 14 and 15, the museum will feature events and activities that showcase how individuals and companies can tackle environmental issues at the Going Green Festival.

Each year the festival allows visitors to challenge their skills at spotting energy foes, planting their own garbage gardens and creating masterpieces of recycled art — all while saving green to be green. Meet members of environmental awareness organizations and businesses from around the state who will be available to show you the latest, greatest and simplest ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. 

New to the festival will be an Eco Science Fair, as a result of a partnership with Earth Charter Indiana. The fair will feature displays by students from across Indiana whose schools are currently championing green projects. “We want student attendees to get inspired by what their peers are accomplishing that will make them think about what their schools can do to be more green,” added Hahn.

Jim Poyser, certified trainer with the Climate Reality Project, will conduct a lecture and demonstration on the connections between carbon emissions, greenhouse gases and extreme weather events, such as the Superstorm Sandy and the great drought of 2012. He will present on Friday and Saturday throughout the event.

Also on Saturday, $2 off general admission will be offered for up to four guests, when items are brought to be recycled with RecycleForce. This year, RecycleForce will be on hand to collect electronic waste and other recyclables and deconstruct the materials and disposes of them safely and cleanly. Scrap metals and other reusable material collected will be sold to help pay for job training programs and employment opportunities through RecycleForce targeting formerly incarcerated men and women reentering society and the workforce.

A list of items that will be accepted can be found at http://indianamuseum.org/pdfs/recycleforce.pdf.

Festival hours on Friday are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The events are included with museum admission and free to members. The event is sponsored by One America.

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School group and home school group reservations to the festival are required to receive the $1.50 per student admission fee. Please call 317.232.1637 to register your class. Classes interested in hearing Jim Poyser speak must let Guest Services know upon making a reservation.