The list of subjects to cover leading up to Earth Day is an exhaustive one — the environment, ecology, climate, pollution, recycling, and more! One way to meet your curriculum objectives while giving students ownership over their learning is to let your students choose an Earth Day activity to complete from a list of project ideas. 

Elementary teacher Meghan Everette says that letting students have a say in their project choice is a small step, but it “allows students a chance to feel like their opinions matter and to pick the project style that makes them most comfortable.” 

Earth Day Project Ideas and Books to Assign for Student Research

Here, Everette compiled more than a dozen project ideas to get you and your students ready for project-based learning this Earth Day. The recommended books cover the same environmental topics as the project ideas and are great for independent student research or classroom read-alouds.

1. Select a book about pollution or the environment.

Create a movie poster, book report, or other display of choice to share what you learned from the book and to encourage others to read it.

2. Visit a local museum or state park.

Then, create a display, report, or presentation to share what you learned about natural resources in your area. 

3. Research pollution problems in your area and report on what you find.

Examples might include trash in a local river, dumping problems in waterways, the lasting effects of oil spills, etc.

4. Make a poster, display, or presentation about pollution. 

From air and water to land and noise, teach the class about different types of pollution and ways to prevent them.

5. Create a nature scrapbook from your local area featuring native flora and fauna.

Take pictures or add in real samples (leaves, flowers, sticks, etc.). Label them as accurately as you can.

6. Be a reporter.

Create a mini movie with yourself doing a news report on environmental issues. Highlight ways “viewers” can help.

7. Figure out how much trash your family creates in a day or a week.

Record the amount in some way (pounds, number of trash bags, etc.). Figure out what parts of your normal trash could be recycled, reused, reinvented, donated, etc. Make a display of your findings.

8. Conduct an interview with an environmentalist.

You might have a friend, neighbor, or family member who works for the water board, utilities department, environmental agency, or local volunteer agencies. Interview them about conservation in your area and what can be done to help. Present your interview and show what you learned.

9. Take a walk in a public area and pick up trash.

Discuss how the trash probably got there, and ways to keep that area clean. Make a poster, mini movie, or other display to encourage others to keep the environment clean.

10. Research what types of materials can be recycled in your town and how to recycle them.

Make a poster or other presentation about recycling that encourages others to take part.

11. Research the water cycle.

Make a display or presentation showing why it is important to keep our water clean.

12. Make a play or puppet show

Either live, recorded, or with an app of some kind, create a play that teaches about protecting the environment. 

13. Make a poem or song about recycling.

Perform it in class or record it to share (either as a poster, video, or audio recording).

14. Create a game that helps review information about the environment, conservation, and recycling.

Be sure to include rules. For extra fun: Really make a game board and the pieces so it can be played!