Turning waste into educational wonder
How do you get students to (literally) think outside the box, while also demonstrating the versatility of potential cardboard waste?

Our STEM-based activities show students that there’s more to our packaging than meets the eye 

Last year, we shipped hundreds of millions of Lenovo devices across the globe. And while every box they arrive in can be reused, we believe that these boxes have another purpose before landing in the recycling skip.  

Our ‘Turning Waste into Educational Wonder’ project asks students to create various projects from our cardboard boxes. With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and cut-out designs on the boxes, the process is simple, accessible and enjoyable for all whilst being sure to support equity in education.

The activities teach fundamentals around topics like electricity, resistance forces and robotics to cultivate an interest and learnings about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. You'll find a QR code to download the Lenovo Digital Activity Booklet and get started as standard across all of our education device packaging, or you can download your copy below.

Booklet

From wasteful to wonderful

We’re thrilled to present ‘Turning Waste into Educational Wonders’ booklet volume 2.

Wowed by the response from schools, teachers, and students across Europe to Volume 1, this second instalment is packed with over 160 of their own contributions – brilliant ideas and innovative STEM projects that transform simple materials like cardboard into unforgettable learning experiences.

Perfect for all ages, these activities bring sustainability into the classroom in a fun, impactful way everyone will enjoy.

Join this growing global community of creators and makers. Download the booklet today (it’s available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian) for for quick, easy steps to make learning sustainable – and wonderful.

Tutorials for Volume 1

Watch these short video tutorials for Volume 1 to find out how everything works.

Squishy Circuit
Volume 1
Squishy Circuit

Start small, without even the need for a cardboard box. Just use two different types of modelling clay to create a simple circuit that turns on a set of lights. 

Electric Ladybird
Volume 1
Electric Ladybird

Using a button cell battery and wires, this circuit helps develop the Squishy Circuit activity with a fun design. 

Public Lighting
Volume 1
Public Lighting

Create a series of lights on cardboard cut-out streetlamps to demonstrate the use of tension, intensity and resistance, as well as the limits of electrical currents in a series. 

Turning Waste into Educational Wonder - Cardboard Sports Car
Volume 1
Cardboard Sports Car

Evolving from the Public Lighting activity, create a parallel circuit to build and launch a cardboard sports car and find its limits.

Robotic Hand
Volume 1
Robotic Hand

Demonstrate the use of force, and how the anatomy of a hand works, with just cardboard and string. 

Tutorials for Volume 2

Watch these short video tutorials for Volume 2 to find out how everything works.

Math Crazy Dice
Volume 2
MathCrazyDice

Take a simple dice game to the next level with this fun design from Italian school IC Portella della Ginestra School.

QR Microscope
Volume 2
QR Microscope

Dive into the microscopic world and discover how the equipment works with Turkish school Bitlis Merkez Narlıdere Yatılı Bölge Ortaokulu.

Smart House
Volume 2
Smart House

Learn how to control and automate LED light levels for future smart homes with Portuguese school Agrupamento de Escolas de Esmoriz – Ovar Norte.

Security Smart House
Volume 2
Security Smart House

Discover how to tighten home security with facial recognition access with Portuguese school Agrupamento de Escolas de Esmoriz – Ovar Norte.

Recycle Heroes
Volume 2
Recycle Heroes

Identify and recycle different materials into appropriate bins with Portuguese school Atatürk Mesleki ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi.

STEM Alliance & Lenovo Competition

Waste to Wonder competion

Now you’ve seen what’s possible, take a look at the winning project and take inspiration of how to raise sustainability awareness whilst fostering your students’ creativity and innovative thinking within your classroom activities.

We had over 160 submissions from across 23 countries and over 4,000 students take part showing how easy it is to get involved and find exciting new ways to leverage existing materials and turn them into something amazing. 

160+

submissions

23

countries

4,000+

students

9

winners

Windows_11_logo

Get an easy Start to the day

More value to advance learning

Efforts like this can’t be done alone. Which is why we’ve teamed up with Microsoft to pool together our knowledge, expertise and resources.

By working with a partner that’s already removed 2.5 million tonnes of carbon from the environment, we can empower students to address the problem of packaging waste. While at the same time, develop a passion for STEM and maybe even a future career.

LEN-Waste2Wonder

Powering digital education

Explore Windows Devices
Explore Windows Devices
Reimagine learning with Windows 11

Study habits and teachable moments have changed a lot over the past few years. So by incorporating Windows 11 into the latest Lenovo devices, we’re taking a closer look at how our devices can better support learning with a more intuitive, more productive interface.

Explore Lenovo for schools
Lenovo for schools
Lenovo for schools

Our solutions empower better learning to keep up with both students’ and teachers’ demands, whether it’s in the classroom or at home. From AR and VR headsets to esports programmes, we have something for everyone.  

Sustainable solutions with Lenovo

Actions that safeguard our shared future
Actions that safeguard our shared future

Schools play a vital role in developing knowledge, skills and, most importantly, attitudes, when it comes to creating a sustainable future. Our Sustainable Actions brochure shows how Lenovo and Microsoft support educators – with energy-efficient devices, software that supports anywhere working, and less in-person travel. 

2022 sustainability report
Actions that create values that last

We’re committed to becoming net zero by 2050 and are working with the Science Based Targets initiative to put goals in place to support this vision. For example, by 2025 we pledge that 90% of our plastic packaging will be made from recycled materials.

Our environmental pledges:

By 2050,

we will reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

By 2025,

we will have enabled the recycling and reuse of 800 million pounds of end-of-life products.

90% of our plastic

packaging will be recycled by 2025.

The "Turning Waste into Educational Wonder" project is supported by

Windows 11
Windows 11
Microsoft
Microsoft
Intel
Intel
STEM Alliance
STEM Alliance
SCIENTIX
SCIENTIX
LanSchool
LanSchool
Arduino Education
Arduino
BETT
BETT
Lenovo Edu Community
Lenovo Edu Community

Join us in creating a more sustainable future

Speak to one of our specialists today to learn how you can transform Lenovo packaging into new STEM discoveries.