Teens can learn new ways to help the environment.
The United Nations General Assembly initiated World Environment Day in 1972. Each year, a different city has had the honor of hosting the event through the week of June 5th. Around the world, activities are organized that spread environmental awareness, such as clean-up campaigns, tree planting and recycling education. Secondary school students or high schoolers can take part in a number of environmental awareness activities at their own schools.
Composting and Gardening
Start a school composting program to help reduce waste.
In 2008 food scraps constituted 12.7 percent of waste, and yard trimmings account for another 13.2 percent. Start a school composting project to teach high school students the benefits of composting to reduce waste and improve soil quality for plants. For a smaller scale composting project, set up a classroom worm bin and encourage students to throw food scraps inside the bin rather than the trash. Teach students about vermiculture composting and care for the worms. Beginning a school or classroom garden would be a symbiotic project to coincide with your composting efforts.
Reduce Trash
Teach students to limit trash.
In 2008 the average American generated 4.5 pounds of trash. Teach students to limit the amount of trash they create by taking a trash inventory. Construct a bag of trash for students to look through and include usual items students throw away, such as gum wrappers, plastic containers, paper, electronics, bits of food and packaging. Have student set aside items that need not have been thrown in the trash. For example, food can be composted, plastic and paper can be recycled and electronics can be harvested for parts. A corresponding activity would be to teach students make paper using used paper from the classroom and other materials.
Toxic Chemical Awareness
Cosmetics are filled with chemicals that are harmful to the environment and skin.
High school students learn best on issues that directly impact them. Chemical awareness is one way to teach students about how the products we use for cleaning, cosmetics and pest control on foods are harming the environment and our bodies. Ask students to name the products they use to get ready in the morning for school, such as toothpaste, shampoo and makeup brands. Enter these products into the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep Database, an education tool for consumers. The database will give a detailed listing of each product ingredient, including toxic ratings, related research and side effects of the chemicals. A project that complements this activity is to show students make their own lip balm my melting almond oil and beeswax together.
Limit Plastic
Encourage students to switch to reusable water bottles to save money and limit plastic waste.
Over time plastic breaks down into smaller parts that contaminate our soil and water. Teach high schoolers to limit the amount of plastic they use and throw away. Talk to the school administration about allowing discounts on cafeteria food when students use reusable containers. In the classroom have students brainstorm ideas about limit plastic consumption, such as avoiding the use of plastic bags for shopping or storing food or buying goods packaged without plastic. Challenge students to a week without using plastic or to catalog the plastic items they have thrown away.
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