Recycling, repurposing and teaching students to be friends of the earth is a way of life to Kevin Olson, design tech teacher at Clifford Smart Middle School in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District.

Olson, who has been teaching in Walled Lake Schools for 20 years, taught seventh- and-eighth-grade design tech students to construct homeless shelters made completely from pallets and other recycled materials. The prototype displays have furniture, primitive heating/cooling systems, a means of cooking, water collection systems, insulation and more. 

The goal for this project was to develop an easy system for homeless people or volunteer groups to construct shelters around the world.

The project was completely generated by the students and the process took around 12 weeks to complete. Each class was set up like a small company with each class being divided into four divisions: construction, alternative energy, furniture and presentation.

“I want the students to understand that helping people and developing relationships is what life is about,” Olson said. “I also wanted them to gain experience in design process and working with their hands. Communication and directing their own learning through daily goals was a huge part of this project.”

Olson’s students have participated in the Global Cardboard Challenge where students designed and constructed furniture from 100 percent recycled materials.

He said his most memorable project was having his former Walled Lake Central students construct an entire room, including a 44-foot couch, out of recycled materials.
 
“Instead of foam board, I always had my students use cardboard,” Olson added.