Crayola Education Sustainability Resources

Help K–8 audiences start “thinking green” with this collection of sustainability-focused activities and other materials from Crayola Education. The resources teach students about the meaning of a carbon footprint, renewable energy forms, ways to reduce waste, and the importance of reforestation. Each collection includes a Teacher’s Guide, student thinking sheet, and a hands-on project. All projects incorporate cooperative group work and include opportunities for students to creatively express themselves. 

For example, in Carbon Footprint, students work in pairs to research the meaning of carbon footprint, then create an infographic on a cardboard footprint to share what they learned. Similarly, in Renewable Energy, students work in groups to research one form of renewable energy, then create a model of the renewable energy form explaining how it works, which students then present to the class.

Flap to the Future: Exploring the Evolution of Flight
 
This game from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology teaches middle level students (grades 6–8) about the evolution of flight. Students master the skies one adaptation at a time, starting as a small dinosaur, evolving to a microraptor, becoming an American Robin, and exploring life as a Future Bird. Accompanying the game is a lesson plan, Jump, Guide, or Fly? Exploring Bird Evolution, which supports educators looking to teach topics around flight, adaptation, and evolution. The lesson plan contains three activities that explore similarities between modern birds and their dinosaur ancestors, adaptions for flight, and the relationship between structure and function.

Engage the Range Unit on Sustainable Ranching
 
Engage the Range introduces the U.S. green industry of sustainable ranching to students in grades 9 –12. This project-based learning unit that can be used to teach students about the history, significance, and threats facing U.S. rangelands so that they may explore and better understand sustainable solutions and green careers. The unit has three segments: Learn the Range (a student-facing interactive module), Experience the Range (an in-person or virtual field trip), and Change the Range (a project-based learning activity in which students build a prototype solution). Bonus—Engage the Range can be integrated across disciplines.

Whole Kids Foundation Bee Grants

Schools and nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada can apply for support for educational beehives and bee programming that allow students to observe bees up close and learn about the importance of these pollinators in our food system. The grant may be used to start a new or enhance an existing bee program hosting live bees on campus. Applicants can choose a $1,500 Monetary Grant or an Equipment Grant for an Indoor Observation Hive. Apply by October 15.

A Bee Grant Overview Webinar will be held on September 10 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. A Bee Grant Q&A Webinar is scheduled for September 23.

Greenprints for the Future Sustainability Project Fund

World Wildlife Fund’s Wild Classroom offers a program that supports K–12 educators in guiding their students toward meaningful environmental action. This opportunity provides financial and personalized support, along with ready-to-use teaching resources, to help educators lead their students design and carry out real-world sustainability projects in their schools and communities. Whether they are addressing biodiversity loss, food waste, energy use, or other local issues, students will apply classroom learning to create change that benefits both people and nature. The fund will provide recipients with $1,000 to use for an environmental solution project with their students. Apply by November 15.

I Love My Librarian Award

Has a librarian at your school, community college, college, or university—or at your public library—supported you and/or your students in teaching and learning STEM? Have they devoted time to helping your community? Nominate your librarian for this award. Up to 10 exceptional librarians will be selected to receive $5,000 in recognition of their service and will be honored during an award ceremony. Nominations will be due on December 15.