Sign Matching
Materials: 6 sign cards & 6 labels
Objective: Match the signs to their meanings to learn what signs to look out for
Hints:
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Mix up the signs and labels and ask children to see if they can match the sign to the correct meaning
It is important to only put recycling in the recycling bin, because if there is trash or food in a recycling bin the
entire bin may need to go in the trash.
Not littering is a basic thing that kids can and should do to help the environment
Poison means it should never be eaten and may be harmful to the environment as well.
The four diamonds together tell how hazardous a material is. The number in the blue diamond is the health
hazard, the number in the red diamond is the fire hazard, the number in the yellow diamond is the instability
hazard, and the white diamond may say what kind of material it is. For all of the diamonds, 0 is not
hazardous and 4 is the most hazardous. Hazardous materials are not only harmful to people, but to the
environment as well.
No dumping means it is not a safe or legal place to dump trash or other materials without permission
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed means all of the runoff, including any litter on the ground, go straight into
the Chesapeake Bay. Living so close to the Bay gives us a responsibility to take care of it.
Recycling Hoop Game
Materials: 1 recycling bin, 1 trash bin, colorful bottle caps, 1 color key poster
Objective: Sort the bottle caps into the correct bin to simulate separating recycling
Hints:
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Put the recycling bin and trash bin on either side of where the kids stand so that they do not aim for one bin
and make it in the other
Give the kids a small pile of bottle caps and have them sort them by throwing them into the correct bin
The bottle cap colors represent what kind of trash they are
If they accidentally throw a trash item into the recycling bin, explain how important it is to keep trash out of
the recycling
If they accidentally throw a recycling item into the trash bin, explain how important it is to recycling
whenever possible
Atmosphere Puzzle
Materials: 4-layers to the puzzle
Objective: put the atmosphere together to learn about the layers
Hints:
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Separate the layers so that the kids have to put them together
Have the kids practice saying the names of the layers slowly with you
The Troposphere is where the clouds are. Clouds are formed when water evaporates from the surface of the
earth. If there is pollution in our water, it can evaporate into the clouds.
The Stratosphere is where the Ozone layer is. The Ozone layer is what protects us from the sun. Holes in the
Ozone layer result in an increase in global warming.
The Mesosphere is very cold. The Mesosphere is where shooting stars cool and create the bright light that
we can sometimes see.
Seed Planting
Materials: Wildflower Seeds, egg cartons or Jiffy-strips, soil, container of water and cup
Objective: Plant a wildflower to practice keeping plants and animals alive
Hints:
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Help kids put the soil in the egg carton first, and then add a seed or two
Do not water the pot too much because parents may need to walk around with the pot
Tell the kids to keep the pot in a windowsill to give the pot lots of light and to water it a small amount every
day
Encourage the kids to plant something bigger like a tree or bush in the yard when they get older
Sustainable Farming Simulation Station (Farmyard) Higher level
Audience – 3rd grade and up
Visitors add components like forested buffers and rotational crops to a standard farm model to
create a more sustainable farm scenario.
Background: Sustainable farming is agriculture which strives to keep soil fertile, intact and loose, limit the
use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and protect local environments and still produce optimal yields.
This can be done by rotating crops, planting winter cover crops, using free range and paddock techniques
for livestock, intercropping in orchards, using integrated pest management, composting and recycling
manure and maintaining permanent vegetative borders around streams and roads.
Crop Rotation- Each crop has particular nutrient needs. Some need more nitrogen, others more
potassium etc. Planting the same crop year after year (monoculture) depletes the particular
nutrients needed by the plant. Eventually, this decreases the yield of the crops unless nutrients are
replaced through chemical fertilizers or manure. Monocultures also tend to be more susceptible
to pests because, if allowed to, pest populations can increase virtually unchecked each successive
year. Chemical pesticides are virtually a necessity under these
conditions. Most cash crops
grow during specific seasons. To grow only one crop means the field must lie fallow for part of
the year. Leaving the soil uncovered can allow topsoil to be
washed away (erosion) and
compacted from heavy rains, machinery and drying heat and winds!
By rotating the crops grown on a particular field and incorporating nitrogen fixing plants (plants
that convert non-usable atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms) like alfalfa or clover and green
manures (plants that are planted to turn back into the soil to incorporate nutrients in more usable
forms) like rye into the rotation, the soil naturally stays fertile longer and the need for chemical
fertilizers decrease. The constant presence of roots working their way into the soil also loosens the
soil but, at the same time, prevents it from washing away (erosion).
The rotation shown in the overlay includes a year of corn, followed by a heavy manure application,
a crimson clover winter cover crop (a legume which are nitrogen-fixers), followed bya year of
soybean (also a legume), followed by a rye winter green manure followed by corn again.
Cover Crops – Cover crops are planted during the off-season with the main purpose of protecting
the soil. They are typically planted in the fall with enough time to sprout, root and begin growth
before winter temperatures inhibit growth. The roots of the plants hold the soil, but also protect
the soil from compaction. The leaves of the plants protect the soil from pounding precipitation.
Cover crops may be nitrogen fixers like crimson clover or alfalfa, cash crops like winter wheat or
green manures like rye.
Intercropping – This technique is similar to crop rotation but is used in conjunction with long lived
plantings like fruit and nut trees or vines. Essentially, crops are rotated in rows located between the
rows of the orchard or vineyard plants. Our rotation includes corn, with crimson clover cover crop,
sweet potatoes with winter wheat cover crop, melons and tomatoes with rye green manure and
corn again with rye as a green manure.
Free Range – This is a technique where the animals are entirely allowed roam free within an area
and largely subsist on the food available within the range. This often lessens the use of chemical
additives since the livestock are not feeding on processed hay and grain. This technique is often
successfully used with chickens and other poultry. Because of their relatively small size and varied
diet, they need less area than livestock. There is also the added benefit that they eat insect pests
and therefore serve as part of a farm’s integrated pest management plan.
Paddock Grazing – In a sense, this is organized free range. Over various intervals, livestock are
rotated through a series of pastures or paddocks. At any given time, there are one or more
paddocks left empty to promote re-growth of the grasses and forbs. While this technique does
limit foraging area, it often increases yield by producing higher quality forage. It also limits the
need for processed feed. The manure produced by the livestock also promotes growth. Pigs are
often moved into paddocks formerly grazed by other livestock because they will readily eat the
manure!
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – IPM is a pest control technique that uses a multi-faceted
approach to combating pests with the goal of limiting the use of chemical pesticides. Crop rotation
limits the ability of pests to build their populations because the same crops are rarely grown in the
same field two years in a row. Biological agents like praying mantids, parasitic wasps, ladybugs,
bats, purple martins, barn swallows, chickens and other insect predators are encouraged to live on
the farm to keep pests at bay. Rodent predators like owls, hawks, snakes and foxes (as long as they
aren’t killing the chickens!) are encouraged as well. Manual pest prevention like traps and hand
picking are used in some cases. Planting companion plants like fragrant mints and marigolds
sometimes keep insect pests at bay. Chemical pesticides may only be used in small quantities,
when all else fails or not at all.
Vegetated borders – Maintaining stream, road and field edges with vegetated borders prevents
erosion and runoff and provides wildlife habitat.
Materials:
1. Poster Board with mural of typical Factory-type farm with fallow fields, chicken coop
and yard, livestock pastures and pig sty. 2 Overlays with monoculture crops – corn and
fruit orchard
2. 2 Overlays with sustainable crop rotation and intercropping techniques depicted
3. 1 overlay showing free range chicken area and extra pasture
4. 2 overlays showing paddock style livestock rotations with one field in recovery
5. One overlay with green hedges for field border.
6. 2 over lays showing better storage area for manure pile
7. 1 overlay making pig sty into more pasture
Procedure:
1. Show participants the typical farm with barren field and with monoculture overlays.
Have them search for potential environmental problems.
a. Fields left barren increasing likelihood of runoff and compaction.
b. Monocultures deplete soil and invites pest infestations
c. Fields not edged with vegetated borders encouraging runoff and
discouraging wildlife
d. Livestock have access to all pastures and have overgrazed and compacted
them.
e. Chickens and pigs are confined in small areas necessitating the need to feed
expensive processed foods, discouraging vegetative growth and increasing
impact of waste products.
f. Pig sty and manure pile located next to stream.
2. Put hedge overlay and discuss benefits of vegetated borders.
3. Put crop rotation overlay over reddish brown field (or have them do it). Discuss
benefits of crop rotation with participants using questioning techniques.
4. Put intercropping overlay over light brown field and discuss benefits.
5. Put free range chicken habitat overlay down and discuss benefits
6. Put pasture paddock overlays down and discuss benefits
7. Put manure pile overlay in open area on reddish field and discuss benefits of new
location.
8. Cover pigsty and manure pile with pasture overlay and discuss benefits
Polar Bear Ice Melt Activity
Background: From Polar bears International (PBI) website
What's causing global warming?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere act like a blanket that keeps the Earth warm.
This protective blanket helps make our planet habitable. But over the past 200 years,
humans have greatly increased the level of GHGs in the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels
like oil and coal. This is like throwing on a second blanket, causing temperatures to rise.
Other factors such as deforestation have added to the problem. Trees soak up carbon
dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases, from the air. Fewer trees, especially in the Tropics,
means less CO2 is removed from the atmosphere.
Do scientists agree about global warming?
The laws of physics dictate that the world will grow warmer and warmer as greenhouse gas
concentrations rise. There's no uncertainty about this: scientists have understood the
correlation for over a hundred years. Venus is a perfect example of a planet swaddled
thickly in greenhouse gases and too hot.
Are scientists still debating global warming? No. Over 97% of climate scientists—
the experts in their field—agree that human activities are causing the current warming
and related climate chaos.
The important point to remember is that natural fluctuations in the climate system will
continue with global warming, but the baseline will climb higher and higher. This means
that scientists can't confidently predict, for example, the first year it will be too hot to
grow wheat in Kansas or the first summer the Arctic will be ice-free. But crossing both
thresholds is assured unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
And once we cross those thresholds, it will be bad news not only for polar bears—but
countless other species, including humans.
How are polar bears affected by global warming?
Polar bears have evolved for a life on the sea ice, which they rely on for reaching their seal
prey. But the arctic sea ice is rapidly diminishing due to a warming Earth, affecting the
entire arctic ecosystem, from copepods to seals to walruses. For polar bears, sea ice losses
mean:
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Reduced access to food
Drop in body condition
Lower cub survival rates
Increase in drowning
Increase in cannibalism
Loss of access to denning areas
*Declining population size
What can be done?
If greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, polar bears and many other species will perish.
But because humans are causing this problem, humans can fix it. Scientists say that time
remains to save polar bears if we act soon to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This
means all of us—individuals, communities, businesses, and governments—must work
together now. Join us in playing a role to save polar bears.
When will my actions make a difference? Taking action now won't result in an immediate
stop to global warming. It will take decades to reduce the build-up of greenhouse gases
already blanketing the atmosphere. But your actions today will help prevent catastrophic
changes from taking place—not only saving polar bears, but life as we know it on Earth.
PBI’s list of most effective actions that people can take
Social Interactions
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Vote for political representatives who recognize that our carbon-based society isn't
sustainable and who will work to establish an appropriate price for carbon
Interpret the facts about global warming to your friends and relatives
Encourage members of your social circles to adopt sustainable lifestyles—and lead by
example
To help create a stewardship ethic in your community and raise awareness of how lifestyle
changes can make a difference, take part in local green initiatives like planting trees,
recycling drives, or ride-your-bike to work days—or start your own.
Transportation
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Walk or ride a bike
Use public transportation
Drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle for your needed task and drive at the most efficient
speed for your vehicle
Avoid drive-through businesses; don't idle for more than 30 seconds
Keep your car tuned up and maintain proper tire inflation
Home & Work
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Insulate buildings and heat/cool with efficient systems (e.g., rated by Energy Star)
Generate your own power with wind and solar
Let your utility company know that you want to subscribe to green power
Use energy-efficient (e.g. Energy Star) appliances and equipment. Turn appliances off
when not in use. Use low-tech methods when possible (e.g., line-dry clothes)
Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent or other energy-efficient bulbs (see Energy
Star)
Use no more water than needed
Dining Table
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Buy and cook only what you'll eat. Don't waste food.
Consume foods that are minimally processed and packaged (e.g., potatoes vs. potato
chips)
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Purchase fruits and vegetables grown locally on small-scale farms
Avoid products that result from tropical deforestation (e.g., palm oil, coffee that isn't
shade-grown, South American beef)
Consume less meat. Eat three meatless meals per week.
Consume products like pasture-fed beef, free-range poultry, and wild salmon rather than
CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operations) meats.
Marketplace
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Minimize consumption: reduce, reuse, and recycle
Research vendors and buy from those with sustainable business models
Avoid products with excess packaging
Buy products created closer to home: for example, if you live in the U.S. or Canada,
purchase goods made in North America instead of those shipped from far away.
Materials: Melting blocks, small plastic polar bear toy, ice in cooler, small container to
hold blocks and water
Procedure
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Using one plastic and one metal melting block – facilitator discusses the potential effects of
climate change on polar bear populations
By placing ice on the two blocks, the ice begins to melt quickly on metal block but retains its
integrity longer on plastic block
Interpreter can discuss which ice pack would provide more hunting areas for polar bears – the
one on the plastic or the one on the metal
Discuss things that people can do at home to help polar bears (usually focus on recycle,
shutting things off and walking/bike riding more)
Plastic Bag Weaving
Background – (from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/plastic-pollutionsolutions.html)
How are Plastic Bags Harmful to the Environment?
Plastic bags are used by everybody. You get them right from a vegetable vendor to a designer
store. They are convenient and easy-to-use. But, most of us are blissfully of the repercussions that
are occurring and will take place in the future. The following paragraphs will discuss the impact of
plastic pollution on environment.
Litter the landscape
Once they are used, most bags go into landfill, or rubbish tips. Each year more and more bags are
ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our
waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic
fumes.
Kill animals
About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles whales, penguins are killed every year due to these
bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the
ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it
lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it.
Non-biodegradable
And one of the worst environmental effects is that they are non-biodegradable. The
decomposition takes about 400 years. No one will live so long to witness decomposition of plastic.
Thus, save the environment for the future generation of humans as well as animals.
Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags
As it is, petroleum products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have
used this non-renewable resource increasingly. Petroleum is vital for our modern way of life. It is
necessary for our energy requirements - for our factories, transport, heating, lighting, and so on.
Without viable alternative sources of energy yet on the horizon, if the supply of petroleum were to
be turned off, it would lead to practically the entire world grinding to a halt. And to make plastic,
about 60 - 100 million barrels of oil are needed every year around the world. Surely, this precious
resource should not be wasted on producing plastic bags, should it?
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/environmental-pollution-the-harmfuleffects-of-plastic-bags.html
Let us be Responsible
1. Carry your own personal bag in the market. If it is made of jute or paper, it is appreciated.
Even if it is a plastic bag, you will at least not take another bag back to your home, in case
you don't carry one in your pocket.
2. Keep few folded bags in your pocket, cars, and bikes while going out. If you buy
something, make it a point to use the bags you are carrying with you. Bags don't occupy a
large space, they can be easily folded and kept in minimum possible spaces.
3. Educate people to carry their own bags. Appreciate people if you watch them carrying
their own bags. Don't feel hesitant to appreciate. Meeting with like-minded people and
encouraging this habit will make it easier for you to spread the virtues of this seemingly
small but extremely beneficial habit.
4. Read about tips to reduce plastic pollution at home, work and during journeys. The
Internet is an awesome source to find quick ways to eliminate plastic waste.
If possible, give sometime to the communities in endeavors of environmental pollution
control. Volunteer for NGOs, depending on your ability, education and flexibility.
5. Believe that only a combined effort of the government and its citizens can make a
difference.
Materials
1. Plastic Bags cut into strips
2. Scissors
Procedure:
1. Cut plastic bags into several long strips
2. Tie ends of three strips together to start weave
3. Do simple 3 strand hair braid
4. Weave in or tie on with square knot new strips when necessary
5. Strand you create can be spiraled into a usable rug