Archie Gets Drastic With Plastic For 45th Anniversary Of Earth Day

Popular comic book characters address environmental issues; Free new teaching guide available for teachers; Braille version available – a first for Archie

MAMARONECK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 11, 2015 / Iconic Archie characters Betty and Veronica bring the power of comic book stories into the classroom to teach Environmental Studies as we approach the 45th anniversary of Earth Day.

“Getting Drastic with Plastic,” by noted comic book writer/illustrators Batton Lash and Bill Galvin, is from Issue 31 of the Archie & Friends Digest series. It comes with a 5-page Science Teaching Guide defined by Common Core Standards and specially developed to tie into the April 22 Earth Day anniversary.

Archie Comics Co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit, a former teacher, said the new program is designed to provide teachers with a platform to spark discussion among young people on the environmental impact of plastic and current global concerns that seek long-term environmental solutions. 

“We are unleashing the power of these well-known and loved comic book characters to teach and motivate young people to take positive action,” said Silberkleit. “Young people today are looking for ways to make a difference and this program shows the way. The text and rich graphics create a stage for students to think creatively, internalize options that make sense to them and provide a classroom setting with an innovational culture to promote and share ideas.”

Getting Drastic with Plastic” begins at the imaginary Riverdale High School, where Archie’s friend Veronica is inspired into action by a speaker at a school assembly. In the assembly, the ambassador from Rwanda tells of that nation’s program that banned plastic bags throughout Rwanda to help decrease the amount of non-biodegradable and toxic material in the waste stream. Veronica gets her friend Betty on board to launch a school-wide campaign to make people aware of the many disposable items made with plastic, from water bottles to plastic coffee stirrers. In the process, the girls learn that some responsible companies are now using plastic that is re-usable or even bio-degradable. When Veronica discusses the issue with her father and tells him she’d prefer to live her life without plastic, he adds a humorous solution for his daughter to ponder.

In typical Archie Comics fashion, the story has a foundation that starts with conflict but ultimately teaches a lesson in a way that not only leaves us chuckling but moves us in a way that Archie’s talented writers and artists have done for generations of readers.

“As we approach the 45th Anniversary of Earth Day,” Silberkleit said, “this project allows our young people to be a part of an important teachable moment that will be a global news topic. Our children already know ‘it’s not my responsibility because I am a child’ does not excuse them from dealing with important issues. They, too, want to be heard on building solutions to our world’s challenges.”

A new teaching guide supports the story with scientific and health-related background, with classroom and at-home activities and critical thinking questions to spur discussion and further research.

“Teachers are the leading creators of change that impact efforts to conserve the majesty of our planet,” Silberkleit said. “It’s through teachers – what they teach and how they teach – that will spur students to be environmental leaders in their communities.” She addresses teachers and young people nationally and worldwide on a variety of issues, and her talks have been well-received by audiences as far as the African continent and India.

Copies of “Getting Drastic with Plastic” are available digitally for $3.99 at http://bit.ly/1Awwrt2. The teaching guide can be downloaded free by contacting Nancy Silberkleit at nancy.archiecomics@gmail.com or call 914-450-9881. Braille copies of the story are also available, at no cost, by contacting Nancy Silberkleit.

Contact:

David Reich
david@reichcommunications.com
212 573-6000

SOURCE: Archie Comics Publishing 

ReleaseID: 426797