Earth Day Teacher Activities
Earth Day is a day intended to inspire awareness, appreciation and conservation of the Earth and its resources. Held on April 22 since 1970, Earth Day is a perfect time for teachers to incorporate lessons about important nature-related topics into their curriculum. Simple demonstrations and projects are effective in showing students just how important it is to be concerned about the Earth's condition.
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The Little Green Birdhouse
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The Little Green Birdhouse craft can be used to teach children the importance of recycling as well as providing shelter to the creatures of nature on Earth Day. Using an empty coffee can, fashion a bumblebee birdhouse out of black and yellow acrylic paint, pipe cleaners, foam, goggly eyes and twine.
The Greenhouse Effect in a Jar
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Using this simple experiment, teachers are able to introduce the greenhouse effect to their students. Being able to see the effects of a greenhouse for themselves will make it easier to relate to and comprehend what is happening within our own atmosphere. Using only two small thermometers, one jar, a watch and sunny area or sunlamp, the students can witness the greenhouse effect. The jar acts to recreate the Earth's atmosphere, trapping heat within the contained thermometer and showing the children how the Earth's atmosphere is warming.
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Solar S'Mores
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The solar s'mores demonstration shows students the effect of solar energy. On a hot day, when temperatures are above 85 degrees, bake s'mores using only the sun's energy. After the s'more ingredients (the marshmallow and chocolate, not the graham crackers) have been baked by the sun, discuss with the students what happens when we ourselves are in sunlight as well as how the heat produced by the sun can be used for cooking food. Further discussion may include how solar energy can be used to power homes.
Slick Sea Spills
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The slick sea spills demonstration can be used to gain an understanding of what happens in an oil spill. Create a mock oil spill by putting five drops of used motor oil in an aluminum pie pan filled halfway with water. Simulate an attempted cleanup by adding five drops of liquid detergent to the oil-contaminated pan. Each student should ponder how a cleanup in the real ocean would occur and discuss how this oil coating would affect wildlife and environment.
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References
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- Photo Credit Sun image by KPICKS from Fotolia.com
