Happy Earth Day! 5 Eco-Friendly Activities for Middle Schoolers to Celebrate Our Planet

On this #middleschoolmonday, we're putting on our geoscientist hats and reflecting on our globe. Today is Earth Day, and it's an excellent opportunity to introduce your middle schooler to the importance of Earth Day, what it means, and some of the day's festivities while also sparking discussions about environmental conservation and our planet.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd to show support for environmental protection. It began in the 1970s and has now expanded to a global network of coordinated activities involving more than a billion people in 193 nations. This year's official theme is "Planet vs. Plastic." 

While such a massive project may appear intimidating to a middle schooler, early exposure can help them become more sensitive to how they observe, treat, and care for our planet.

Today is the perfect time for middle school students to reconnect with our world, appreciate its beauty, and take steps to protect it.

Parents, mentors, and educators let's get our middle school students involved!

Here are five enjoyable and meaningful ways they can observe Earth Day this year.

Organize a Cleanup: Grab some gloves, garbage bags, and a few friends, and head out to clean up a local park, beach, or neighborhood. Not only will you be helping the environment by picking up litter, but you'll also learn about the importance of keeping our communities clean. And cleaning up something that you didn't dirty up parse' is a selfless act of service. It's nice to be nice! 

Plant Trees or Start a Garden: Get your hands dirty and plant some trees, or start a garden at your school or in your backyard. Not only do trees and plants help clean the air, but gardening can also be a therapeutic form of self-care and a great way to learn about where our food comes from and the importance of sustainable agriculture.

Educate Others: Middle schoolers can use their creativity to educate their classmates and teachers about environmental issues. They could create posters, give presentations, or even organize a school-wide Earth Day assembly. By spreading awareness, they can inspire others to take action, too.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Make a commitment to reduce your waste by practicing the three R's: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Bring a reusable water bottle and lunch container to school, use both sides of paper before recycling it, and look for ways to repurpose items instead of throwing them away.

Go on a Nature Walk: Take some time to appreciate the beauty of nature by going on a hike or nature walk with your friends or family. Use this opportunity to observe wildlife, listen to the sounds of the forest, and soak in the tranquility of the outdoors. Remember to leave no trace and take only pictures, leaving nature exactly as you found it. 

---

Remember, Earth Day is not just about one day of action—it's about making sustainable choices every day to protect our planet for future generations. By taking small steps together, we can make a big difference in caring for our earth. Learn more about Earth Day on the official website.

Happy Earth Day!

Xo,

Coach Rahik