(Photo above: Steve Emery, CEO of EARTH20 giving a presentation to Middle School kids)
On March 9 and 10, EARTH2O, an environmentally conscious bottled water company, hosted seventh-grade mathematics students from Bend, Oregon-based REALMS Middle School as part of an ongoing partnership to expand students’ real-world design skills. During their field work, students toured EARTH2O’s Culver, Oregon, facility to gain a better understanding of the various consumer, economic and sustainability factors the company considers when packaging products.
“This program speaks to our ongoing commitment to education and helps extend learning beyond the classroom so that students can balance concepts with what is practical in today’s workplace,” said Mike Peterson, EARTH2O vice president of operations. “We feel that the future’s best employees are those with the education, practical knowledge and common sense to know what is possible, but also with appreciation for what can happen if you have a passion and belief that new ideas can be implemented. This program exposes the students to the entire production process from idea to reality.”
REALMS mathematics students are tasked with redesigning packaging for an existing product. The insight and inspiration into innovation they gain from local EARTH2O experts is vital to bring that vision to life. EARTH2O employees provide students with insights on taking their proposed product from concept to shelf, with real-time feedback on design cost and functionality.
EARTH20 is one of the best-selling bottled spring water brands in the Western United States. The water comes from a single pristine source, Opal Springs in Central Oregon, where thick layers of volcanic basalt filter the water naturally.
The aquifer sits 1,500 feet below the earth’s surface, unexposed to air and surface pollutants. Throughout its operations, the company maintains an unwavering focus on sustainability, from the water source to bottling practices to packaging and delivery methods.
For more information please visit earth2o.com.
Rimrock Expeditionary Alternative Learning Middle School is a public charter school for sixth- through eighth-grade students who are seeking a small, active and challenging educational environment. The school’s purpose is to foster scholarship, strengthen community and inspire stewardship through active learning.
For more information please visit https://realmschool.org.
