Special Interest Design Conjecture
My special interest in the Local Loops Capstone project is the effects of Microplastics on the environmental and human health. This is a serious issue with a range of current discussion ranging from catastrophizing to dismissive. There are many unknowns about the full effects of microplastics. Many issues found in my literary reviews revolve around lack of research and understanding long term effects.
My design conjecture centers around a community artifact that will raise awareness about microplastics, provide education, options of protection for everyday life, and work to raise funds for more research down the road.
This piece is a large hourglass filled with particles of plastic collected from the local area. In the bottom vessel there is a fan spinning the brightly colored plastics in a vortex. This fan is powered by a solar panel on the top of the piece. As the trash drains into spinning turmoil each day, onlookers are brought to reflect on the impacts of their waste while informational signs educate and inform.
