Our Planet, Our Future - Earth Week Event 2025Did you know that our planet is uniquely designed specifically to host life? For the week leading up to the 55th anniversary of Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22nd), our National Beta Club students put together activities to help all ages learn more about our amazing Earth. God said we should be good stewards of the Earth--taking care of it and all that lives on it. We will learn how to do that while also learning about our planet and how to help it. Everything we buy and do has an impact on our planet, some good but too many in a bad way. For each day during the week, there are numerous adventure-filled activities described below, focusing on the different aspects of taking care of Earth. There are age-appropriate videos, websites, activities, as well as journal questions to complete. *High school students can complete these steps along with the journal to earn community service hours. Hours vary by level of participation, so make sure to log time taken with the activities. The more you do, the more you earn! After Earth Day, email them to your advisor or holly@bridgewayacademy.com. Deadline is May 1st. The first adventure is on April 16th! Details follow for each day of the week. "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." ~ Job 12:7-10 Day One – Wildlife Matters April 16th From tiny bugs to majestic bears, every life matters! Even the smallest microbe has a vital role to play. Cornerstone species, like wolves and mountain lions are just as important. All of the amazing living creatures in-between make an incredible web of life that we need to protect in order to keep our planet healthy. There is a growing crisis where our wildlife is in decline by almost 70% in only the last 50 years. More species have gone extinct in that time than any other in recorded history. Those that do survive are impacted by ingesting microplastics and being exposed to lead. For our first mission, learn more about easy things to do to help our wildlife with these videos. – Elementary How to make a recycled bug hotel – Middle School How to make an easy pinecone birdfeeder –High school Watch what we could lose Next, select at least one of the activities below to complete Activity 1 – See a unique bird, want to find out what it is? Head over to Cornell Merlin Bird ID! This app can identify birds by picture and sound, curated to your location. After identifying the bird, the app will specify the rarity of the bird depending on your region! Log your bird sightings in this handy birdwatching journal. Activity 2 – Using this article, list 5 advantages of composting and ponder how they can benefit your family. Use this video to help you build a compost bin! Activity 3 – Take your learning a step further by reading about the importance of bugs and the value of these pollinators to humans . Make a presentation for your family based on what you learned and share it with us in your journal section. Finally, take some time to reflect on what you learned today by journaling answers to the following questions. What are three things you learned in this mission? Did learning about bugs and our wildlife importance change your view on them? Do you think that by helping/protecting our wildlife we can help prevent species from going extinct? Day Two – Hidden Health within your Clothing April 17th Our second Earth Week adventure has us learning about something we all need – clothing! The life cycle of a simple t-shirt is complex. Watch this video about the process. Surprising, right? So much waste goes into our clothing. But is the cost to our planet worth it? Or is it better to spend a few extra dollars on something with organic cotton or made of recycled materials like fabric made from soda bottles? It uses half the water and energy of cotton and lasts longer! Do you really need all those extra clothes? What’s the point if it poisons the Earth? For our second mission, understand more about how we can make our clothing better with these videos. – All Grades, and introductory to fast fashion. – Middle and High School Why is cotton so popular and durable? –All Grades, one town has become a solution!. Next, select one or more of the activities below. The more you do the better our Earth will be! Activity 1 – Celebrate Earth week with your furry friends by revamping your old clothes into pet toys! Activity 2 – Check out these fun ideas to green your wardrobe. Plus, here’s some great Upcycling ideas for clothing. Activity 3 – Go through your clothes and donate what you are not wearing often. You can donate locally or use Give Back Box. Finally, take some time to reflect on what you learned today by journaling answers to the following questions. * What are three things you learned in this mission? Think about your wardrobe and consider what items you can repurpose? How could you spread the word about making mindful clothing purchases prioritizing quality over quantity? Day Three – Embracing the Nature around Us April 18th Nature Speaks—Are You Listening? In the smallest moments taking a breath outside, and in the biggest when hiking or visiting a natural wonder, nature speaks. It shows us its beauty from the unique grains of sand, the giant redwoods and mountains, and everything in the middle. Today, we take a moment to listen and learn more on how we can help. There is a song that states “How can you say there is no God when all around creation calls? A singing bird, a mighty tree, the vast expanse of ocean sea.” For our third mission, let’s learn more about the ecosystem surrounding us! – Elementary Become an explorer! Learn how to make a nature journal here. Draw and document your outdoor findings on these fun printables! – Elementary and Middle School Embrace the inner scientist within you using Audubon! –High School – Let's spend time watching nature and learning how to help Next, complete one or more of the activities below Activity 1 –Document at least ten plant findings and learn more about the different species, as well as what the purpose is (you may include pictures in your journal). Use this website to help you with your plant records! Activity 2 – Do your best to sketch out different types of plants using natural materials such as charcoal or dirt. Bonus tip: if you can, draw out your plant sketches on a flat rock, or a wooden slab and leave your masterpiece outside, watch how it changes through the different weather! Activity 3 – Help scientists with their research through Zooniverse! Finally, take some time to reflect on what you learned today by journaling answers to the following questions.* What are three things you learned in this mission? What Activity (s) did you complete? How are you planning on embracing nature now that you’ve learned more about it? (Ex: Being more mindful of what your throw out/recycle, cleaning up litter, fertilizing certain, weeding others, etc) Brainstorm ways to spread the word about saving plants and birds so that other species don’t go extinct. How can you and the Earth become soil-mates? Day Four – Recycled Art April 19th Earth with Art is just Eh! While there’s no way to fully escape plastic, we can drastically reduce our purchases of it and use of it. Plastic lingers in landfills for hundreds to thousands of years and is so toxic! Most plastic is made from oil, so a lot of pollution and damage to our Earth happens just to get that oil out of the ground and turned into plastic as well. Using a reusable water bottle, being mindful of plastic packaging, buying some items in bulk, or storing items in glass jars are just a few ways we can embrace our Earth and reduce waste. Using all the new plastic alternatives like corn and potato starch “plastic” is also a great way to help our Earth. But unfortunately, that won’t get rid of the excess waste problem. What we can do is turn this waste into wonders through different art methods! For our fourth Earth Week mission, watch the grade appropriate video links below. – Elementary Learn about plastic pollution. – Middle School Explore how to make “forever flowers” out of an egg carton! –High school Learn how to make your own paper here or with this video using recycled paper pulp! Next, select one or more of the activities below to complete. Activity 1 – Turn trash into treasure with these activities! Bottle painted flowers, soda flower crafts, water bottle flower art. Activity 2 – Send homemade paper and paper scraps cards to lonely elders, kids in need, and those in need of positivity. Activity 3 - Reuse plastic containers with these fun projects! Finally, take some time to reflect on what you learned today by journaling answers to the following questions. * What are three things you learned in this mission? What Activity (s) did you complete? Which of these actions are you going to take to help reduce plastic pollution while making mini masterpieces? How can you help advocate against unnecessary plastic usage? Day Five – Cleansing your Domain April 20th Nature Nurtures! It may seem overwhelming, but even the smallest changes can make big impacts. There are so many natural solutions for everything from daily cleaning to renewable energy sources for our homes. Every shift we make is like a pebble in a pond, creating ripples of change. It may seem small, but when many of us work together, huge changes to help our Earth can happen. Our future, and that of coming generations, depend on it. For our fifth mission, let’s learn more about how we can keep our homes ecofriendly. – All Grades Learn how to make some easy (and healthy) swaps for household cleaners! - Middle and High School Explore Earth Day information, events, and activities! –High School Explore the benefits of these common household plants and what they can protect from. Watch this video for more information! Next, select at least one of the activities to complete Activity 1 – Grow spices in old jars! Bonus tip: use these spices to scent your natural cleaner(s)! Activity 2 – Look around your house, observe items that may be releasing negative substances into the air. Try your best to replace them with healthier alternatives. Make note of your changes and log them in your journal. Activity 3 - Plant a native garden! Look up what plants are native to your area and build a small garden of them. This will provide a safe habitat and help native insects and birds thrive while clearing out harmful toxins. In a more urban environment? Here’s information on urban gardening! Finally, take some time to reflect on what you learned today by journaling answers to the following questions. * What are three things you learned in this mission? What Activity (s) did you complete? What changes can you make in your and your family’s life to help cleanse your domain? Using what you learned, do you think we can slow or stop the production of toxic household products? Day Six - Bee’ing in Abundance April 21st Bee-Lieve in the Power of Nature! Bees are so vital to our planet. They pollinate many foods that we eat, which helps our farmers. They pollinate flowers all over the world, providing us with beauty and providing birds, insects, and animals with food. Bee’s also make honey! However, bees are in grave danger – not just honeybees but all varieties of these helpful insects. Watch one of the grade appropriate video links below to learn more about bees and the benefits of candle lighting. – Elementary and Middle School Learn about how important bees are – Middle and High School A world without bees? What would that look like? –High school Understand the benefits of candle lighting, and how to make your own natural candles. Bonus tip: At your local thrift shop, use mismatched teacups, or old pottery as candle containers! Then, complete one of the following activities. Activity 1 – Shop for products at local shops. Not only do many local shops use materials native to your region, but you also get to support a local business! Activity 2 – Learn more about bees, bee products, and how to help bees here – then start to do these things! Activity 3 – Use only candle lighting for a week, minimizing blue light whenever possible. Jot down any differences you feel before and after the switch. Finally, take some time to reflect on what you learned today by journaling answers to the following questions. * What are three things you learned in this mission? What Activity (s) did you complete? What can you do to protect our pollinators? What are two things you can stop doing to help our wildlife and insects? Day Seven – Exercise Your Knowledge about Earth Week April 22nd Earth Day Every Day! Happy Earth Day! Did you know that more than 600 million people in 174 countries celebrate Earth Day? Today is the 55th anniversary of the day we celebrate our unique Earth! We only have one, and not only is it hurting, but we were tasked to protect it. Today is a special time to be thankful for this amazing planet and all it has given us, so instead of confining it to a day or week, let’s be kind and grateful for our Earth every day! For our final mission, we are going to celebrate our Earth by learning more about this spectacular holiday! – All Grades Learn about the history of Earth Day! – Middle and High School Learn about how kids can save the world! –High school Check out all of these ten amazing innovations that can help save the planet! Next, complete one of the activities below. Activity 1 – Take this Earth Day quiz to test what you learned! (Recommended for elementary and Middle schoolers) Activity 2 – Host a friend/family game night with this awesome Earth Day Jeopardy! Or check out this vast list of Earth Day activities for the whole family! Activity 3 – It is YOUR turn to teach what you have learned! Make a presentation about the origin of Earth Day, and what you can do to better this planet. Present your presentation to your family, friends, neighbors, and fellow peers, be ready to answer any questions they may have about this holiday! Take some time to reflect on what you learned today by journaling answers to the following questions. * What do you do to celebrate our unique Earth? What will you, as an individual, to be that pebble in the pond whose ripples spread out to make bigger and bigger changes? The Earth works hard to make sure we have everything needed to survive; but what can we ensure for generations to come, to have the same beautiful planet forever? Thank you for taking part in this journey to learn more about our planet and how you can leave an impactful legacy for the better! *High school students can complete these steps along with the journal to earn community service hours. Hours vary by level of participation, so make sure to log time taken with the activities. The more you do, the more you earn! After Earth Day, email them to your advisor or holly@bridgewayacademy.com. Deadline is May 1st.
