CEDAR FALLS - Kelly Loughren's third-grade class sat mostly quiet as Bill Nye the Science Guy explained the life cycle of a common piece of household trash and young conservationists explained the impact of purchasing products in single-serving packages.

Though the video was educational, several groaned their displeasure when Loughren flipped it off halfway through.

"They just love Bill Nye," she said.

But the students had just 20 minutes in the the Iowa Department of Natural Resources trailer "Smart Choices. Clean Future. Better Iowa." The interactive exhibit educates on topics like energy alternatives, household hazardous wastes, recycling and illegal dumping.

The students were fascinated with the tube of trash and the touch screen games, but it was the information on recycling that stuck with them.

"I learned it's a really good idea to recycle, and you can cut bottles and use them for other things," said Samantha Potter.

"We recycle pop cans at home," added Ariana Wait. "And we give stuff to Goodwill instead of throwing it away."

"I learned we should always recycle and not just throw things away," said Bailee Craig.

The ideas are simple, but the impact can be huge, said Jenny Bruss, assistant program manager for the Recycling and Reuse Technology Transfer Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The organization is piloting the "Get Your Green On" program at Lincoln Elementary this fall, with programming focusing on recycling, reusing and reducing waste.

"Kids get excited so easily, and we want to encourage that excitement," Bruss said. "We would love it if they would carry these ideas home, but it's definitely something that can start at school."

Most of the programming will focus on students in first, third and fifth grades, though all students will be involved in some events, like touring the DNR trailer last week.

Bruss and Tyler Lorenzen, a senior biology major at UNI, will visit classes in the three grade levels during the month of October to talk with students about the cycle of different products, the role everyone plays in that cycle and how they can help reduce their waste. Sock puppets representing dirt, water and air, played by RRTTC staff, will be interviewed to show their perspective about how they are being treated. The interviews will be broadcast over the school's TV system to all grades throughout the school year.

Students in the targeted grades also will take field trips, with first-graders going to the Tallgrass Prairie Center at UNI; Hartman Reserve; and the Cedar Falls landfill site, transfer station and waste water treatment plant.

Teachers have put up additional recycling bins in classrooms, and the school has expanded its recycling capabilities to include more kinds of paper, said Principal Deb Beving. Previously the school had only recycled white and construction paper.

"This is a great opportunity for us to do direct teaching and help students learn about the environment," Beving said. "We are absolutley thrilled to be their pilot school. There is no way we could have put together this kind of program on our own."

Bruss said the program will likely continue at Lincoln so all students have the opportunity to experience the more in-depth programs. She also would like to expand the program to other schools but would need additional financial support.

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1570 or emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.