June 11, 2025 •By Dr. Julie Sessions, Curriculum Consultant
Celebrating World Environment Day
#BeatPlasticPollution
Date: June 5, 2025
World Environment Day is a global platform for raising awareness and acting on urgent environmental issues. This year's theme focuses on #BeatPlasticPollution. Watch the Plastic is not so Fantastic video to see how plastic has been used throughout history. As teachers, you can encourage students to tackle the plastic problem with these activities:
- Plastic Audit: Have students conduct a plastic audit at home or school to track the types and quantities of plastic used to raise awareness of consumption patterns.
- DIY Reusable Bag Project: Organize a workshop to create reusable bags from old t-shirts to teach students about upcycling.
- Plastic-Free Challenge: Encourage students to go plastic-free for a week and share their experiences and challenges.
- Classroom Pledge: Have students create a pledge outlining personal commitments to helping reduce plastic use and share their pledges with the class.
- Gardening Activity: Start a school garden using recycled plastic containers, demonstrating alternative uses for plastic items.
Read about the History of World Environmental Day and learn how the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has impacted the world since 1973.
Honoring World Ocean Day
One Ocean, One Climate, One Future – Together
Date: June 8, 2025
World Ocean Day is a chance to celebrate the ocean's vital role in our lives and learn about conserving marine environments. Consider these activities:
- Virtual Ocean and Aquarium Tours: Use online resources to explore ocean life and ecosystems to learn more about marine biodiversity and conservation efforts.
- Beach Clean-Ups: Organize community clean-up days if you're near a beach or a local waterway.
- Marine Life Projects: Have students research endangered marine species and present their findings.
- Marine Life Posters: Students research different marine species and create informative posters to present to the class.
- Water Cycle Experiment: Conduct experiments to demonstrate the water cycle and its importance in maintaining oceanic and atmospheric systems.
- Ocean Conservation Campaign: Students develop a campaign to raise awareness about ocean conservation, which could include posters, videos, and social media outreach.
Here are some more resources, links, and facts about World Ocean Day:
Youth - World Ocean Day: Youth leaders, youth organizations, aquariums, zoos, and other community organizations are collaborating on ways to protect and restore our blue planet.
Materials for Kids Archives - World Ocean Day: Check out the resources for students here.
Digital Ocean School: Check out this interactive site to learn more about protecting our oceans.
12 Months of Action - World Ocean Day: Sign up for reminders each month to see ways to take action for the planet.
World Ocean Day 2025 Social Media Toolkit - World Ocean Day: Here is the free social media toolkit for sharing World Ocean Day 2025 events and projects.
Recognizing World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future
Date: June 17, 2025
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a time to think about how desertification, land degradation, and drought are among the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Check out these Did You Know facts from the 2024 Key Messages to learn more!
Science Camps: Summer Adventures
June is a perfect month for science camps that emphasize environmental education. Reach out to local organizations to see where camps and special events are happening near you. Camps that focus on ecology and conservation can help students focus on biodiversity, habitats, and conservation methods. Renewable energy-focused camps can give students hands-on experiences with solar power, wind energy, and sustainable practices. Wildlife exploration camps allow students to get outside and experience nature with field trips to nature reserves, local beaches, or mountain habitats.
Here is a list of some sites to get you started:
- Best Environmental Science Summer Programs for High School Students – 2025
- High School Environmental Summer Program | National Student Leadership Conference
- Landing: Summer Programs for Teens in Costa Rica with Global Leadership Adventures – Bing Search - GLA
- Summer Camps | Southern Conservation Trust
- Animal & Wildlife Conservation Programs for Teens with Global Leadership Adventures: Oversees travel for teens with a focus on animal and wildlife conservation.