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Say Hello to Spring with These Conservation Activities for Each Grade Level

Written by By Dr. Julie Sessions, Curriculum Consultant | May 28, 2025 8:36:24 PM

The arrival of spring means more time outdoors enjoying warmer, fresher air and the reemergence of nature. It’s the perfect time to celebrate Clean Air Month and World Bee Day, both occurring in May. And what better way to explore forest preserves, parks, and other natural areas than in a climate-friendly electric vehicle (EV)?

To help you get in the spring spirit, we've curated a list of engaging conservation activities and facts related to these observances, suitable for all grade levels. 

Clean Air Month Activities

Elementary School

  • Nature Walk and Talk: Organize a nature walk around the school or local park. Encourage students to observe different plants and discuss how they contribute to clean air.
  • Art with Leaves: Have students create leaf rubbings and label them. Discuss how trees help with air purification.

Middle School

  • DIY Air Filter: Guide students in creating a simple air filter using a fan and a coffee. Discuss the importance of clean air and how air pollution affects health.
  • Air Quality Index (AQI) Exploration: Use online resources to explore the AQI of your local area. Engage students in a discussion on how air quality can be improved.

High School

  • Research Project on Air Pollution: Assign a project where students investigate the sources and effects of air pollution in their community and propose solutions.
  • Debate on Clean Air Policies: Organize a debate on the effectiveness of current policies aimed at reducing air pollution and what more can be done.

EV Activities

Myths vs Facts:

EVs are often misunderstood regarding their environmental impact and practicality. Contrary to myth that power plant emissions make them worse for the climate, EVs generally have a smaller carbon footprint and are more energy-efficient than gasoline cars. Concerns about the environmental impact of battery manufacturing are also misplaced, as EVs typically emit fewer greenhouse gases over their lifetime. Additionally, while some believe that EV batteries are unreliable and need frequent replacements, battery failures are rare. Fears that an increase in EVs will overload the US power grid are unfounded, as there are effective charging strategies to manage grid load, plus EVs can be charged using standard outlets. Regarding range, EVs are capable of meeting typical daily travel needs, with new models often exceeding 100 miles per charge. Lastly, EVs are as safe as gasoline vehicles, adhering to the same safety standards.

Read more details about myths and facts here: Electric Vehicle Myths | US EPA

Learn more about EVs here:

World Bee Day Activities

Elementary School

  • Bee Craft: Have students create bee models using recycled materials and learn about the importance of bees in pollination.
  • Plant a Pollinator Garden: Help students plant flowers in the school garden to attract bees and other pollinators.

Middle School

  • Bee Observation Journal: Encourage students to observe and document bee activity in their neighborhood, noting different species and their behaviors.
  • Honey Tasting: Arrange a honey tasting session with different types of honey. Discuss how different flowers affect honey flavor.

High School

  • Pollinator Conservation Plan: Task students with creating a conservation plan to protect local bee populations, including habitat creation and community awareness campaigns.
  • Research on Bee Population Decline: Facilitate research on the causes of bee population declines and potential solutions.

These conservation-themed activities not only enrich students' learning experiences but also promote a sustainable future. Your dedication as educators is invaluable in nurturing students who care about the planet. Thank you for your commitment to both education and the environment!