Start Small Dream Big Project: Little Heroes for Clean Waters

As part of our Start Small Dream Big (SSDB) journey, our preschool embarked on a meaningful project to raise awareness about water pollution and how even the smallest hands can make a big difference.

Through storytelling, videos, and hands-on activities, the children learned about how littering and waste affect our rivers, seas, and the animals that live in them. They were especially concerned about how marine creatures like turtles and fish can get hurt by plastics and oil spills.

Inspired to take action, the children used recycled materials such as cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, bottle caps, and string to design and build simple imaginary machines that could help clean up polluted waters. Some of their wonderful ideas included:

The Bottle Boat Cleaner – A floating boat made from plastic bottles with a net attached, imagined to scoop up floating trash from the sea.

The Bubble Vacuum – A hand-cranked vacuum made from paper rolls that “sucks” up oil from the water surface.

The Recycle Robot – A robot with long arms (made from straws and sticks) that can sort and collect plastic, cans, and glass from the beach.

The Fish Friend Finder – A fish-shaped submarine that detects sick sea animals and helps bring them to safety.

Through this imaginative play and creation process, the children developed problem-solving skills, environmental awareness, and a strong sense of empathy and responsibility. They proudly shared their machines with peers and parents, explaining how each one could help our oceans stay clean and safe.

Our little eco-heroes have shown that no one is too small to care—and to take action—for our environment. Together, we dream big by starting small, and we believe a cleaner, kinder world begins with us.