By Thabata, Catholic Partnership Schools Healthy Courier | Most trips that I’ve been on have been for our entertainment. Our trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences, however, was different. We went there with purpose, thanks to Ms. Mia [Blitstein of Healthy NewsWorks] and the Healthy Courier. Plus, the trip linked to what our latest newspaper issue was about: microplastics and their effect on the environment. Until I was introduced to the Healthy NewsWorks, I never paid any special attention to theenvironmental damage in our own neighborhood. This school year with them has made me consider the conversation of the planet differently, and I’m glad I was able to expand on that thought through our visit to the Academy.

—Thabata is in eighth grade.