"Were those records?" you might be asking about one of Kristen Schaeffer's latest projects.

The jet-black, crinkled vinyl bowls would be expensive in a specialty shop, since the catch-alls are perfect for a retro-look office or mod décor. This freshman electrical engineer says re-engineering, in this case recycling records, is one of her passions. "Isn't that what engineering is all about? Making useful bigger things out of smaller things?" Kristen said.

Going online to find eco-friendly projects takes up Kristen's free time. "It's all about looking at things in a different perspective," she said. Her fingers flew over the keyboard to show off the thriftyfun.com  Web site where she found directions for recycling vinyl. As a volunteer at the Bethesda Resale shop, she had a chance to examine a lot of record labels for the one-of-a-kind containers she's making for her cousin's room. "There are a lot of polka records at the shop," she said.

Electrical engineering with pre-med suits Kristen well since she feels much satisfaction in helping people. "I love the big smile you get when you give something you have made," she said.