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Eco Activities for Middle School Students

For middle 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 middle school students become tomorrow's community leaders.

All materials are FREE to use, download and share!

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: “Mapping Our Mess”

Students learn how much waste they consume in their everyday life.

 DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH)
Lesson 2: “The Litter Life Cycle”

Explore decomposition rates of common litter items and learn how to make a healthy compost.

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Lesson 3: “Litter and Wildlife Connections”

Study how litter impacts Arkansas wildlife.

 DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH)

    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: “Recycling Economics”

    Examine how recycling markets work and why items sometimes aren’t recycled.
    COMING SOON
    Lesson 2: “Our School’s Footprint”

    Calculate how much waste your school produces and how much could be diverted.
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    Lesson 3: “Trash to Art ”

    Students work to create group art sculptures that capture the landscape of a specific natural space in an Arkansas state park.
    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 2: “Good Dirt”

      Investigate soil health and composting as tools for restoration.
      COMING SOON
      Lesson 1: “Friend or Foe?”

      Learn about Arkansas ecosystems and native vs. invasive species.
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      Lesson 3: “Regions of Arkansas”

      Students learn about the different regions in Arkansas and how they all have different habitats.
      COMING SOON

        EducationalMaterials

        View and download environmental activities by grade-level.

        Elementary School

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        High School

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