Eco Activities for High School Students

For high school students ready to delve deeper and put what they've learned into action, Keep Arkansas Beautiful has project ideas to inspire students to take the lead and make a difference. By learning new concepts and roleplaying key decision makers, these lessons are intended to help today's high school students become tomorrow's community leaders.

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ENVIRONMENTAL LESSONS

Litter Prevention Recycling Beautification / Conservation

Litter Prevention

Keep Arkansas Beautiful offers students new ways to expand their knowledge. Taking on the roles of lawmakers, community designers, scientists and more, students can get first-hand experience with litter prevention at every level.

Lessons

Lesson 1: “Microplastics in Arkansas Environment ”

Why are microplastics showing up in Arkansas waterways and what does that mean for our ecosystems?

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Lesson 2: “Community Design Challenge”

Students design environmental signage or trash/recycling bin placement plans to reduce litter based on the region of the outside environment.

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Lesson 3: “Policy in Action”

Learn how local litter laws and ordinances shape community behavior.

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Project Inspiration

Litter Hotspot Survey & Heat Map Project

Students survey a campus or park, categorize litter, and create a simple heat map showing where and why litter accumulates.

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Storm Drain Tagging: “Drains to Waterways” Outreach Project

Students label storm drains with stewardship messages and share educational materials explaining how litter travels into local waterways.

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Coming soon...

Recycling

There's so much more to recycling than bottles, cans and cardboard. Students are invited to learn more about other types of recyclable waste and to get a realistic view of the larger process, from what we buy to the capacity of local communities to recycle it.

Lessons

Lesson 1: “Circular Economy Challenge”

Investigate how industries reuse materials and reduce waste.

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Lesson 2: “Recycling Reality Check”

Analyze the myths vs. realities of recycling in Arkansas.

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Lesson 3: “Electronic Waste Affects the Environment”

Study electronic waste and its environmental impact.

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Project Inspiration

Clothing Swap / Community Clothing Drive Project:

Students organize a school or community clothing swap to extend garment life and reduce textile waste.

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Microplastic Awareness Workshop

Students host a workshop to teach how microplastics originate—from synthetic clothing, packaging, and personal care products—and how to reduce their impact.

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Coming soon...

Beautification / Conservation

Clean, green natural spaces make Arkansas communities happier, and it's all our responsibility to pitch in and get our hands dirty. These lessons give students the chance to learn and practice conservation and beautify our state by planting native wildflowers, planning urban green spaces, maintaining community gardens and more.

Lessons

Lesson 1: “Rewilding Arkansas”

Explore how habitat restoration benefits biodiversity.

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Lesson 2: “Creating Green Urban Spaces”

Use landscape design principles to reimagine public or school spaces sustainably.

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Lesson 3: “Community Garden Leadership”

Plan, launch, or support a garden that addresses community needs.

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Lesson 4: “Mushrooms and Plants are Compatible”

Students will understand how fungi works with soil and plants.

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Project Inspiration

Invasive Species ID / Removal Event

Students learn to identify priority invasive species and participate in a one-day removal project with AGFC or State Park staff.

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Native Plant Starter Pots for Community Distribution:

Students propagate native seedlings in class and deliver or plant them at parks, community gardens, or neighborhood spaces.

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Coming soon...

EducationalMaterials

View and download environmental activities by grade-level.

Elementary School

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Middle School

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