Our Earth, Our Responsibility: Let’s Be Eco-Heroes!
Dr. Danielle Goolsby
Mosaic Preparatory Academy
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INTRODUCTION: Our Earth gives us clean air to breathe, water to drink, and beautiful places to enjoy—but right now, our planet needs our help! Did you know? Every day, people throw away a lot of stuff such as paper, food, plastic, and more. But when we don’t recycle or reuse things, it becomes a problem for everyone. ● Trash builds up in landfills and sometimes ends up in oceans, parks, and neighborhoods. ● Pollution from waste can make the air, water, and soil dirty, which is bad for people, animals, and plants. ● Some communities, especially those with fewer resources, don’t have access to recycling or clean-up programs so they live with more waste and pollution around them.
This waste hurts animals, pollutes our water and air, and uses up Earth’s resources. But the good news is you can make a difference! Our amazing principal has asked you all to analyze the problem of excessive waste and pollution in the school environment and community. In this WebQuest, you’ll become an Eco-Hero and learn how to take care of our environment, starting right in your own school. You’ll work in a team to discover real solutions and share them with others. |
TASK
Your mission is to work in a small group to create a “Go Green Guide” that teaches others in your school how to help the environment. You will investigate an issue at school, research facts, and create a fun and informative project (poster, slideshow, skit, or video) with at least three actionable tips.
PROCESS
Students will be placed in groups of 2
🔄 Eco-Hero WebQuest Process (Aligned with PPA Steps)
You are on a mission to help reduce waste and protect the environment in your school. You’ll work as a team, follow the 6 Public Policy Analyst (PPA) steps, and create a powerful project to teach others how to be Eco-Heroes too!
Step 1: Define the Problem (PPA Step 1)
1. Start by watching the short videos about environmental issues, waste, and pollution. Examples below:
a. Trash and Environment for Kids
b. Overpopulation and Deforestation
2. Then go on your Green Walk around the school to observe what’s happening.
3. 📝 Use your Note Catcher to record what you:
a. See (trash, recycling, compost, etc.)
b. Wonder (Why is this happening?)
c. Think (Is this a problem? How big is it?)
Step 2: Gather Evidence (PPA Step 2)
1. Look closely at data and infographics about waste (including the one you viewed at the start of the project). Example data websites/resources:
c. Waste Characterization Study
2. Use your note catcher to:
a. Record at least 3 facts or data points about waste or pollution
b. Explain why these facts matter for your school
Step 3: Identify the Causes (PPA Step 3)
1. Think deeply: Why is this a problem in our school? Why is trash a public health issue?
a. Ask:
i. Do students and teachers know how to recycle?
ii. Are there enough trash or recycling bins?
iii. Are rules being followed?
b. Write or draw the causes you notice on your note catcher or on your group poster.
Step 4: Evaluate the Policy (PPA Step 4)
1. Find out what the school already does to help the environment. Use your note catcher to take notes. (NYC Guide to Clean Green Schools)
a. Talk to your teacher or custodian
b. Look for posters or signs about recycling
c. Ask: Is it working? What’s missing?
2. Write a quick summary or draw what the school is doing and what it could do better.
Step 5: Develop Solutions (PPA Step 5)
1. Now it’s your turn to come up with real solutions!
2. As a group, brainstorm 2–3 realistic, school-friendly ideas to fix the waste or pollution problem. Examples Below:
b. Conservationist - Waste Reduction
3. Choose one idea to turn into your final project. You might:
a. Make a poster to hang in the hallway
b. Create a recycling reminder video
c. Write a skit or comic to teach others
4. Use the Feasibility vs Effectiveness organizer to assist in choosing the best option .
Step 6: Create & Share Your Final Project (PPA Step 6)
1. Work with your group to create your product using facts, visuals, and your best effort.
2. Use creativity and teamwork to make it engaging!
a. Ex: Going Green Guide for Student Union
3. 🎤 Present your project to your classmates to teach them how to be Eco-Heroes.
EVALUATION
CONCLUSION
Be the Change!
Congratulations, Eco Heroes! You’ve taken important steps to learn about waste, pollution, and how these issues affect our planet and our school. By researching real problems, observing your surroundings, and creating a powerful project, you’ve shown that even young people can lead big changes.
Through your presentations, others will learn how to take better care of the Earth, starting with small actions like reducing waste, reusing items, and recycling right here in our school. You’ve used your voice, your creativity, and your teamwork to make a difference.
But this mission doesn’t end here. Keep noticing what’s happening around you. Keep speaking up for what’s right. And most importantly, keep making choices that help our environment and inspire others to do the same.
You are the future and the planet is in good hands.
STANDARDS:
New York State Learning Standards Alignment:
English Language Arts (Next Generation ELA Standards):
● 3R7 / 4R7 / 5R7 – Use information gained from illustrations and texts to demonstrate understanding.
● 3W2 / 4W2 / 5W2 – Write informative texts to examine a topic and convey ideas clearly.
● 3SL4 / 4SL4 / 5SL4 – Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner using appropriate facts and relevant details.
Science (NYSSLS):
● 3-ESS3-1: Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard.
● 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
Social Studies Framework (Grade 3–5):
● Geography, Human-Environment Interaction: Students understand how people depend on and modify their environment.