By Tyler King
In today’s world, instilling a sense of environmental stewardship in young learners is crucial. With many concerns about sustainability and renewability, empowering children with the knowledge and tools to protect our future is critical. Promoting sustainability through education is just one way to do that! So, this blog post will explore three sustainable science activities for kindergarten to second-grade students that will empower young minds to foster our planet and care for our future.
1. Watering Leaves
In this activity, elementary schoolers learn how water travels through leaves! First, students snip off the bottom of a leaf stem. Then, they place their leaf in a glass filled with water. After adding red food coloring to the water and waiting a couple of days, the veins of the leaves turn visibly red from their water intake. This experiment is an excellent demonstration for elementary school students to understand how plants stay alive and work to maintain our planet’s health!
Activity link: Watering Leaves – Buggyandbuddy.com
Materials needed: leaves, scissors, clear cups, water, and red food coloring.
2. Growing Beans in a Bag
In this activity, elementary schoolers explore the growth of beans in a controlled environment. First, students place beans into a paper towel within a Ziploc bag. Then, they zip the bag shut to allow the seeds to grow. With some regular watering, these beans will sprout into entirely new plants! Throughout this project, young learners can keep track of their plant’s growth and explore differing growth rates between beans. This experiment showcases the incredible nature of plant reproduction.
Activity link: Growing Beans – Communityplaythings.co.uk
Materials needed: plant seeds, beans, Ziploc bags, permanent markers, paper towels, and water.
3. Compost in a Bottle
In this activity, elementary schoolers will make compost out of organic material. First, they’ll create an Earth-like environment with dead plants and soil in a bottle. Then, they will spray their materials with water and close them tightly to contain the moisture. After placing the bottle somewhere warm, students will see their materials turn to compost. This activity showcases the fantastic nature of biodegradation, a crucial process for Earth’s productivity!
Activity link: Compost in a Bottle – Growinghealthykids.co.uk
Materials needed: 2-liter bottles, garden soil, shredded paper, fruit and vegetable peelings, hedge trimmings, water, cello tape, sharp scissors, and permanent markers.
Engaging students in sustainable science enhances their school learning experiences and cultivates a fantastic commitment to environmental stewardship. Activities such as bean-growing experiments, recycling relay races, and composting in bottles can inspire kindergarten to second-grade students to become the next generation of environmentally conscious leaders. With these three sustainable science activities, students will be empowered to positively impact the planet and create a more sustainable future for future generations!
Do you want more resources on the topic of sustainable science activities? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of searchable STEM resources by category, school level, and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships, and more. Check out a free sampling here. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
K-2 is where it all starts with STEM education. The National STEM Honor Society focuses on “From K to Career, NSTEM from the Start!” To start your K-2 Chapter of the National STEM Honor Society, click here.
