Students in “Spanish in Dialogue with the Environment” researched environmental issues from El País, then created libros cartoneros—hand-painted books made from recycled cardboard. Under Profesora Cerghedean’s guidance, they transformed language learning and environmental awareness into a unique art project that blends sustainability with storytelling.
Students explored, engaged, and reflected on present-day issues related to the environment. Their research, observations, and summaries based on articles from the Spanish newspaper El País metamorphosed into libros cartoneros or cardboard books - uniquely hand-made from recycled materials, creatively hand-painted and beautifully assembled as a final project in this course taught by Profesora Cerghedean.
The project was part of a course called Spanish in Dialogue with the Environment, offered by the Environmental Studies and Spanish programs.
The students in the course were Cloe Hacker, Evelyn Jaime, Juby Lai, Giovanna Ferreira Lima, Norah Owens, Paloma Reyes, Hannah Shubin, and Luciano Atilio Marchetti (TA).
February 13, 2026
