Hi, you're listening to Cultivate
Curiosity, a.
Podcast that inspires the next generation
to stay curious.
Cultivate Curiosity is brought to you by
the Emerald Coast Science Center, a
nonprofit.
Interactive science museum and STEAM
educational facility in Fort Walton Beach,
Florida.
This podcast is perfect for anyone curious
about the world we live in, because
you never know what we'll talk about
next.
Hi everyone, it's Jacie, the social media
coordinator at the Emerald Coast Science
Center.
Earth Day might have been yesterday, but
here at the Science center, we believe
protecting our planet is a year round
mission.
And did you know that April is
actually Earth Month?
That means we get the whole month
to celebrate the Earth and think about
the ways we can make a positive
impact.
Today, I want to talk about a
side of environmentalism that doesn't
always get enough attention, but has some
power to spark real change.
And that's creativity.
More specifically, how creative
expressions like fashion, photography and
design can help raise awareness about
environmental issues and and inspire
action.
Sometimes we think of sustainability in
terms of checklists.
Reduce your plastic compost when you can
bring a reusable water bottle.
And yes, those things are absolutely
important.
But environmentalism can also be personal,
emotional, even joyful.
That's where our creativity comes in.
It helps us connect with the Earth
and each other in ways that facts
and figures alone can't always reach.
Art can make the climate crisis feel
more human.
It gives us a way to process.
Grief, hope, urgency and care.
Whether it's a photo that captures a.
Quiet moment in nature or an outfit
made entirely out of recycled materials,
these forms of expression invite us to
see sustainability, not just talk about
it.
There's real power in that.
For example, studies have shown that
people are more likely to take climate
action when they feel emotionally
connected to a cause.
And creative projects can be that spark
something visual, something tactile,
something that moves us.
It's also a great entry point for
young people, folks who may not think
of themselves as environmentalists, or
anyone who wants to make a difference
but doesn't know where to start.
That brings me to something brand new
happening at the Science center this year.
Our first ever Reduce, Reuse Refashion
show.
This is one of the most exciting
events we've launched on Earth Day because
it's such a fun and unexpected way
to look at sustainability.
The fashion show will take place on
September 27th and entries are accepted
until August 31st of this year.
Designers will need to be at least
16 years old and will need to
provide their own model to walk the
stage.
At our event, participants create wearable
art.
Real walkable fashion made entirely from
reused, repurposed, or recycled materials.
We're talking dresses made from chip bags,
skirts crafted out of newspaper, and
accessories assembled from soda can tabs.
Every piece tells a story, and every
outfit challenges our idea of what trash
really is.
It's amazing to see the thought and
ingenuity that goes into designs like
this.
Some are elegant, some are whimsical, and
some are downright wild in the best
way, but all of them highlight a
really important message.
We throw away so many materials that
still have value, and maybe we need
to start seeing waste in a different
light.
If you want to learn more about
the fashion sew, you can visit our
website or we'll have the link in
the description of the podcast for you.
To go directly to.
Now, if fashion's not your thing, but
you still want to get creative to
celebrate Earth Month, there's another
wonderful opportunity to share your
perspective through photography.
The Choctawhatchee Basin alliance is
currently hosting its 2025amateur photo
contest, and it's open to anyone who
wants to showcase the beauty of our
local environment.
Photo contest has a special place in
my heart because I actually had my
photo in one of their calendars, so
that's pretty cool.
This contest is such a great reminder
to slow down and really look at
the world around us.
The Basin is full of breathtaking
landscapes, diverse wildlife, and everyday
moments of natural magic if you take
the time to notice them.
And when you capture one of these
moments with your camera, you're not just
taking a photo, you're sharing a
perspective.
You're helping others appreciate what's
worth protecting.
Plus, you don't need a fancy camera
or any professional experience.
This contest is for everyone, whether
you're out there with a DSLR or
just snapping pics with your phone on
a morning walk.
It's about telling the story of this
place we call home and reminding others
why it's so important to keep it
healthy.
Winning photos and additional honorable
mentions will be featured in their 2025
calendar.
The submission deadline is July 4, 2025.
To learn more or submit your own
entry, you can head over to their
website, basedalliance.org and we'll also
have it in in the description of
the podcast.
The link to their photo contest.
Between refashioning waste into wearable
art and capturing the beauty of our
local ecosystems through a lens, you can
see just how many ways there are
to engage with environmentalism
creatively.
But let's say you're not a fashionista
or a photographer.
No problem There are so many accessible,
low pressure ways to celebrate Earth Month
through creativity.
Here's a quick list to inspire you.
Make recycled art.
Use cardboard bottle caps or magazines to
make a sculpture or collage.
Write a poem or short story about
your favorite outdoor memory or a place
in nature you love.
Chalk your sidewalk with an Earth Day
message or a nature themed art.
Upcycle an old item.
Maybe a tin can becomes a flower
pot or an old T shirt becomes
a tote bag.
Record nature sounds and create a relaxing
soundscape or even a mini podcast episode.
Create a time lapse of a sunrise,
a flower blooming or your garden growing.
Make an eco themed playlist and share
it with others to set the mood
for a walk outside, which if you
do that, let me know I'm all
about playlists so you don't have to
be a professional artist to make an
impact.
What matters is expressing your care for
the planet in a way that feels
meaningful to you and maybe inspiring
someone else along the way.
The truth is, the planet doesn't just
need scientists and policymakers, it also
needs artists, dreamers, designers,
photographers and storytellers.
We all have a role to play
in building a more sustainable future, and
when we tap into our creativity, we
make that future more inspiring, more
inclusive.
And a lot more fun.
And if you're looking for even more
inspiration, be sure to check out our
past podcast episode titled Celebrate Our
Earth, which is all about the Rs
of sustainability and other simple ways to
celebrate Earth Day.
And you can find this episode linked
in the description of our podcast.
Or you can just scroll back and
find the one that says Celebrate our
Earth or search it.
Thank you for joining me and listening
today.
Until next time, stay curious and stay
kind to the Earth.
Thanks for listening to this week's
episode of Cultivate Curiosity.
If you have any questions, feel free
to email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org. Tune
in for our next episode in two
weeks.