This powerful student art exhibit emerged from a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Lansing Middle School teachers Nicole Lamie (tech), and Lee Iannone (art). CCE Tompkins Educators spent time with students during their tech and art classes, creatively exploring themes of energy and environmental climate solutions. 

In the fall of 2024, Anne Rhodes and Siobhan Hull, CCE Tompkins Educators engaged sixth graders during their tech class.  They learned about what parts of their home use energy, where that energy comes from, the difference between gas and electric, and how that relates to a program in their community — the Lansing Non-Pipe Alternatives program. 

This spring, Siobhan Hull spent time with the sixth graders during their art class. Their project for the quarter was to create a self-portrait, and this year they were responding to the theme “in a world full of problems, be a solution”. They talked about environmental and climate problems that the world is facing right now, and how renewable energy can be one “solution”. 

Each student had to select a form of renewable energy to incorporate into the background of their self-portrait. All 75 self-portraits are now on display at the Lansing Community Library and will be displayed through May 16th. The portraits will also be a part of the annual Lansing Middle School art show, which will go up in June. 

Each project allowed students to reflect more deeply on how sustainability is enacted in their community and their role in shaping the future.