1997-2000: “Creative Applications in Environmental Education” : a collaboration between University of Maryland System (Appalachian Environmental Science Center) and the State of Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
Alison created a 22-week programme which included both a theoretical component related to aesthetic concepts, students’ relationship to their environment, waste management, observation/drawing exercises, as well as hands-on techniques in creative recycling: using a maximum of locally available, recyclable materials (paper, clay, vegetable scraps, tea-bags, sand, rags etc). Students also discovered the art of hand-made paper and its potential use in book-making, cards and posters, as well as design concepts for T-shirts.
Those talented students who participated in exhibitions and conferences – organised by both Maryland DJJ, as well as Maryland University of Biotechnology Institute – were often surprised by their latent abilities and skills in drawing, making hand-made paper, cards and books, as well as designing posters and T-shirts.
1998: Creative Applications in Recycling: workshop for Maryland State Elementary School Teachers.