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Earth Day STEM/STEAM Activities Round-Up

Writer: Amy Wung TsaoAmy Wung Tsao
Feb 132 min read
white petaled flower close-up photography
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Earth Day will be here before you know it on April 22! It’s a great time to introduce STEM topics like trash, recycling, and the science of clean water.


Keep reading for easy, hands-on science experiments and activities to use in your home or classroom this Earth Day!



 

Trash and Recycling Science for Earth Day


Preschool-age white child in a striped t-shirt sitting at a white table in front of 3 small baskets, the kind typically used for berries. The closest basket is labeled “garbage.” The child is putting small white cards with pictures on them into the baskets.

Sort the Garbage Game from No Time For Flashcards


You could do this after snack time with your actual trash. Or if this is an activity your kids might want to repeat a few times, you could make game cards and trash & recycling “bins” for sorting.




Art + science + upcycling!

Did you ever make Shrinky Dink art as a kid? Well Science Max shows us how to make the same kind of shrinking plastic art with Plastic #6. (Teachers, this one aligns with K-ESS3-3!)



Build a Model Recycler from Science Buddies


Sorting the mixed paper, plastic, and metal in the mixed recycling bin is good for the Earth and and interesting engineering problem! Why not let your kid try to design a solution? Check out this video for some ideas on building a model recycler! (Teachers, this one aligns with K-ESS3-3, and K-2-ETS1-1)



Collage of three picture book covers: "Super Manny Cleans Up!", "Adventures of a Plastic Bottle", and "One Plastic Bag". Title reads "Trash Science STEM picture books."

Check out this post to find more trash and recycling science that pair well with these activities!



 

Clean Water Science

for Earth Day



Photo of a round plastic storage container filled halfway with blue-tinted water, boat toys and sea animal toys. Title reads "Ocean oil spill activity."

Ocean Oil Spill Activity from One Time Through


My kids love a sensory bin, and this is basically a sensory bin turned into a science experiment! Add a little oil to a bowl of water, and then challenge your kids to try to get the oil back out. They’ll learn pretty quickly how challenging it is to clean a real oil spill. This activity is best for kids who won’t be tempted to splash that oily water around too much!  (Teachers, this one aligns with K-ESS3-3 and K-LS1-1.)



From SciShow Kids


Learn real practical tips to help keep storm drains in your neighborhood clear of litter, so they don’t end up in rivers, lakes, or the ocean! (Teachers, this one aligns with K-ESS3-3 and K-LS1-1.)



From OwlKids


With just some cotton balls, sand, and pebbles you can make muddy water visibly cleaner! This is a cool activity, but it definitely needs a grown-up to help.



Collage of three picture book covers: "The Mess that We Made", "Water Lady", and "The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks." Title reads "Clean Water STEM picture books."

For more clean water science that pairs well with these activities, check out this post!


 

Happy Earth Day, everyone! 

Amy Wung Tsao



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