It’s Earth Day 🌍
Whilst every day is Earth day, the global movement – which has been growing since the 1970s but arguably needed now more than ever – celebrates the importance of caring for our environment. It is a unifying opportunity to inspire our children to learn about nature, habitats, biodiversity, pollution and climate change – and to make active choices towards positive change.
In this blog post, I’ll signpost to a host of workshops, resources and ideas for you to use in your planning, teaching and learning for #EarthDay
Workshops
Dr Jo Science live virtual workshops are available on a range of topics to support Earth Day, including:
- Plastics challenge
- Habitats and bird feeders
- Owl pellet dissections
- Rocks and soils
- Plants, seeds and pollination
- Microplastics pollution
- Polar science and global warming
- Dirty water – separation and filtering
Workshops use everyday household items, or where specialised equipment and resources are required, I can send these to school.
Resources
Educational resources to support Earth Day are available from a number of organisations. The obvious place to start might be EarthDay.org, although some adaptations may need to be made to make these suitable to primary aged pupils, although they are pitched at either beginner, intermediate or advanced level.
Resources, investigations and activities which may be easier to pick up and run with for primary aged children, include:
A selection of Environmental education websites, activities and resources I collated for COP26 in this blog post, as well as:
Farming and food sustainability
Environment and sustainability
- Practical Action Schools – STEM projects linked to the Global Sustainable Development Goals
- Green Choices
- Get a Blue Peter Green Badge!
- PSTT’s Earth Explorers resources
The Natural world
- Great Bug Hunt
- RSPB Bird watch (Big Schools BirdWatch and Big Garden Bird Watch) and wild challenges
- Nature Detectives – special school closure activities from The Woodland Trust
- Kew Gardens Learning at home resources
- RHS Gardening activities
- The Natural History Museum resources
- Cambridge University Botanic GardensÂ
- Wildlife Trust activities for families
- The Countryside Classroom
- Five minute field trips – useful list of quick nature activities to do with minimal resources and preparation
- The Week Junior Science and Nature magazine
- Gardening for Biodiversity
- Zooniverse – gives people from all ages and backgrounds the chance to take part in real research with over 50 active citizen science projects, many of which are nature and environment based.
- Our Planet – nature documentary exploring the wonder of the natural world and the impacts of climate change.
- Join in with 30 Days Wild in June
Pollution
- Oceans and plastic pollution from WWF
- Resources from Anglian Water
- Surfers Against Sewage – lessons and resources
- Clean Air Day
Climate change
- Climate science, biodiversity and citizen science resources from WWF
- STEM Polar explorers
- Oxfam – Climate challenge to investigate the human causes of climate change and what can be done about it (KS2).
- Waterwise competition
- Climate Science Symposium and resources from PSTT
Other resources
- You will also find lots of schools resources at Transform Our World.
- Practical Action have incredible activities and projects linked to Sustainable development Goals
- Chris Woods’ latest issue of Daily STEM has some special activities for Earth Day
- Topical Science Updates volcano special
- Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT)’s #IBetYouDidntKnow cutting edge research resources for Earth day
- Always great for stimulating wonder and discussion, why not try some of the Explorify resources
- There are also Earth day Lesson Ideas for Teachers from Engage Education .
- Great Science Share for Schools – sign up to The Great Science Share for Schools (GSSfS) now for exclusive free resources and weekly themes (launched in May!) and suggested activities between now and the big event in June! Dr Jo is a Regional Champion for The East of England and you can find out more in this blog post.
Previous resources for The Great Science Share are still available, including topics such as dawn chorus, scavenger hunt, waste warrior, environment, ocean and more. New weekly themes for this year and accompanying resources will be released from May 2022.
You might also find some inspiring environmentally themed activities in the 150+ science activities I have created for free since the first lockdown.
It wouldn’t be a post about the natural world without mentioning Sir David Attenborough. In 2021, Sir David had a conversation with Liz Bonnin for the Cambridge Festival last year, discussing his hope for the planet. Watching Sir David’s Natural History documentaries is always a great way to inspire a love and respect for the natural world, and his latest book is a must read for adults.
Whatever you discover on Earth Day, I hope it inspires children and adults alike. I can’t wait to see what everyone gets up to. Tag me on social media @DrJoScience #DrJoScience #EarthDay