Casa Grande Union High School - Cougar Yearbook (Casa Grande, AZ)

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‘Garbologists discover a variety of lifestyles During the fall of this year, Mrs. Peggy Peters’ Arizona History and Government class completed projects in “garbo- logy ” Garbology is exactly what it sounds like — the study of garbage. One might ask, “Why are students studying garbage in the classroom?” The purpose of the activity was to enhance skills in analysis and deductive reasoning. Each of the students brought to class his own garbage from home (the garbage was “clean,” of course), which was swapped with the garbage other students had brought. Then the investigation began. By sorting out the different types of products a family used, the students could determine the different lifestyles the people probably lead. A bag with a lot of diet soda pop cans and other low-calorie products would suggest the family members were watching their weight. A bag (Above) Vickie Alvarez compares trash with the type of environment It may have come from. (Right) Amy Valdez observes as Mrs. Peggy Peters points out the number of calories In a can of soda pop. “Garbo- logy”. the study of garbage, was one of the projects students com- pleted In Mrs. Peters’ Arizona Government class. with many empty disinfectant spray cans and furniture polish bottles would suggest a family was very neat, and kept a clean house. The size of a family could be determined by the number of people the food products were designed to feed, or if there was a baby in the family when empty diaper boxes and baby food jars were discovered. The students were hesitant at first to rummage through the garbage, making comments such as “Do we really have to do this?” Soon the project was underway and comments such as “Are we having fun, yet?” and “I have to do this right before lunch!” rung through the air. But, in a short time most were participating with enthusiasm. 9

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(Top) Vickie Alvarez, Norma Amado, John Cave and Bonnie Crouch sort out trash to determine what kinds of people would have discarded it. (Lower Left) Gwyn Cornforth examines a tortilla wrapper for a garbology project in her Arizona History and Government class. (Lower Right) Mrs. Peggy Peters looks on as Veronica Wellington and Amy Valdez sift through rubble. 8 Student Life

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Students never stop being themselves (Top Left) AFS students Sandy Unger, Shannon DeGroot, Michelle Whitmore, and Tressa Tice listen intently to the speaker of the day. (Bottom Left) Students talk with their friends in the parking lot next to the boys’ gym on the average day after school. Most have found it’s a good time to meet new friends. 10 Student Life