This month, the Palmer Museum of Art and The Arboretum at Penn State are turning litter into learning. Join Tracking Trash, a month-long citizen science program during which every bottle cap, candy wrapper, and coffee cup becomes part of our shared “collection.” By spotting and documenting discarded items in your community, you will sharpen your eye for detail, explore human impact on the world, and help assemble a visual record that is equal parts science and art. Think of it as a walk through an outdoor art gallery, in which you are playing the role of curator. Which items belong in the collection? The “exhibits” are everywhere, and your finds might surprise you, inspire change, or even tell a bigger story.
At the end of month of trash tracking, a visual exploration of our virtual gallery will be published on social media, and will be part of the Palmer’s Art After Hours program.
Submit photos and descriptions of your objects using the Trash Tracker