3 Engaging Earth Day Science and STEM Classroom Projects

January 14, 2022

3 Engaging Earth Day Science and STEM Classroom Projects

Environmental science is an important topic to immerse students in. It is no secret that the Earth is in crisis. A good environmental science project should provide kids with opportunities to solve problems. We must look beyond just learning about nature. This generation will be taking the lead on innovation in the future. We love it them for Earth Day.

These 5 projects go beyond just building something. They give students the opportunity to discuss the problem and create a solution. They help to expand students' scientific knowledge while also making them aware of the environmental need for a solution. They also are lots of fun!

1. Explore Eco-Friendly Packaging and Carbon Neutral Shipping.

This is a complete classroom project that will dive into material science. Students will investigate different types of void fill. They will expand their knowledge of the importance of biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable products. Everyone gets packages and ships them. It is something students can relate to and see a need for. They even get to rate a package on its' eco-friendliness. They love this part.

At the end of this unit, they take all of their new knowledge on greenhouse gases, carbon-neutral vs net-zero carbon, and create a new type of void fill. We know they can not get into a factory to create a new product. The students will use STEM materials to model the void fill and describe how it will be manufactured. This is a unique unit that will spark their interest and allow them to see how this is an actual career.

2. Create a Bee Hotel

How fun is this! Bees are important for the environment. Their numbers are dwindling. Creating a bee hotel could help improve this problem in their local community. Learning about bees also will expand students' knowledge of plants and pollination. They will learn the importance of bees to farmers. It will give them a greater appreciation for the fruit they eat.

The following link gives specific directions for making a bee hotel/house. We suggest you expand on this and allow students to come up with their own designs from their research.

3. Create a Portable Water Filter.

This is a project that will help students understand how others live around the world. We have access to water right in our homes. There are many parts of the world that do not have this. A portable water filter would make a huge difference in their lives. Students will learn about greywater and freshwater. They will expand their knowledge about the different waste in our water. We love this because students get to dive into the research and become true problem solvers.

Here is a great link to get you started on your journey. Students could follow this activity, but to make it truly STEM have them solve a problem. How can this be portable? Can they create a filter that focuses on a specific type of debris? Let the students research the latest technologies to help them expand the concept.