Earth Day

Half of the blue marble for Earth Day hero
This view of Earth from space is a fusion of science and art, drawing on data from multiple satellite missions and the talents of NASA scientists and graphic artists. NASA images by Reto Stöckli, based on data from NASA and NOAA.

Celebrate Earth Day (April 22), Earth Week, and Earth Month! 

Since 1970, Earth Day has increased awareness of the planet we live on, and encouraged people to learn more about pollution, climate change, endangered species, and many other environmental issues. Earth Week takes place during the week around Earth Day. 

The NISE Network has compiled a selection of resources to help you plan your Earth Day celebration  wherever your learners are. 

Museums across the country celebrated Earth Day 2021 virtually and in person

Here are just a few examples of partner activities:
https://www.nisenet.org/blog/museums-across-country-celebrate-earth-day

At-Home Friendly Experiences

Currently, during the crisis around COVID-19, in-person programming has transitioned into experiences designed to engage audiences online, including families at home. Below is a curated list of resources that you may find useful if planning alternative Earth Day events to engage your community in new and creative ways.

Hands-on Earth Activities

These activities were designed for use in museums or in other informal educational settings but may be adapted for online or at-home learning experiences. Many of the activity materials can found around the house or can be printed from downloaded files in advance. 

Paper Mountains Kit Components.jpg
Earth Day NASA 2021 portal_graphic showing a globe with reflections in water and an orange flower

NASA virtual Earth Day 2021

  • A variety of Earth Day activities, including live talks, games, videos, and great downloadable posters and books, is now online during NASA’s Earth Day Virtual Event.
  • From April 21-24, anyone can join the free, online event that includes live panel discussions and chats with NASA Earth science experts, as well as on-demand content, such as coloring pages and activity sheets, eBooks and downloadable posters, Meet a Scientist videos, and information on how you can be a scientist for NASA. There’s also an online scavenger hunt to kick off #GrowForLaunch, a chance to learn more about the plants grown in space and how you can start your own garden.
  • Online registration is free and open now: https://nasa.6connex.us/event/NASAScience/EarthDay2021/login
  • More NASA Earth Day resources: https://www.nasa.gov/earth-day-2021

Earth Videos, E-books, and Image Collections

Use these NASA media resources to introduce online engagement programming or extensions.

Earth Apps and Interactives

DIY Lake Science cover image

Apps & interactives can be useful for self-directed exploration or as the basis of livestream events.

Earth Citizen Science Projects

Globe Observer app on iPhone

Involve your audience in citizen projects that help scientists understand the Earth and its systems.

Please note: Following resources are not filtered by at-home programming. 

Hands-on Activities

Earth-themed activities from the Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkits

When hosting an Earth Day event, you may want to incorporate the following Earth-related hands-on activities and resources found in the Explore Science: Earth & Space toolkits.

Sustainability-themed activities from Sustainable Futures (2020) - A collection of public programs exploring sustainable futures.
https://www.nisenet.org/sustainable-futures

More NISE Network activities

Additional Resources for Planning Programs and Events

Chemists Celebrate Earth Week logo

Chemists Celebrate Earth Week 

  • CCEW 2021 April 18–24 with the theme, “Reducing Our Footprint with Chemistry.”  

  • Chemists Celebrate Earth Week 
    The American Chemical Society (ACS) sponsors Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) focusing on the role of chemistry in creating a better world. Resources include in person and virtual events, experiences, and activities.
    https://www.acs.org/ccew

  • For NISE Network chemistry activities and resources please see
    https://www.nisenet.org/national-chemistry-week

    Chemists Celebrate Earth Week CCEW 2021 theme with footprint lillustration

 

 

 

 

 

NASA Earth Day 2021 image with bumble bee in grass

Posters

Cover of the NASA Earth ebook

Images

Library Resources

Citizen Science Opportunities

 

  • person using Globe app with mobile smart phone
  • GLOBE Observer
    Globe Observer is an international network of citizen scientists and scientists working together to learn more about our shared environment and changing climate. Your visitors, camps, or colleagues can participate by downloading the GLOBE Observer app and submitting observations. Giveaway rack cards are included with the Exploring Earth: Investigating Clouds activity and showcase the four data observations experiences in the app.
    • https://observer.globe.gov
    • https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app
      • Clouds—By photographing clouds, recording sky observations, and comparing them with NASA satellite data, you can help scientists gain a new perspective on clouds that satellites can't provide: from the ground looking up!
      • Land Cover—By photographing and classifying the land cover over an area the size of a soccer field, you will be assisting those scientists working to enhance global maps of land cover use.
      • Mosquito Habitat Mapper—By identifying potential breeding sites for mosquitoes, sampling and counting mosquito larvae, and using optional equipment to examine, photograph and identify the genus of your specimens, you will be enabling scientists to verify predictive models of mosquito population dynamics.
      • Trees—The trees observation allows citizen scientists to measure tree height (and optionally tree circumference) to track the growth of trees over time. 
    • Zika Zine
      Zika Zine is a graphic story about how Aedes mosquitoes live and how to reduce the number of places where mosquitoes can survive. Readers will also find out how citizen scientists are helping NASA by documenting mosquito habitats with GLOBE Observer. The Zika Zine is an outreach resource of the GLOBE Zika Education and Prevention Project. A digital version can also be downloaded in multiple languages. You can also download the coloring pages and make your own comic guide.
    • Elementary GLOBE is designed to introduce students in grades K–4 to the study of Earth system science. Each module of Elementary GLOBE includes a science-based fictional storybook, three learning activities, and educator notes and glossary. Elementary GLOBE is a great option to extend your Earth science engagement efforts with young learners. Modules include: Air Quality, Climate, Clouds, Earth System, Season, Soils, and Water. A sample of the Do You Know That Clouds Have Names? storybook from the Clouds module is included in your physical toolkit and can be used with visitor groups before or after Exploring Earth: Investigating Clouds activity. Digital versions of all the modules, available in multiple languages, can be downloaded for free at the GLOBE website. Elementary GLOBE Modules:

 

Online Workshops 

NISE Net Sustainability and Earth-themed Online Workshops (Recorded)

History of Earth Day

Newsletter

Learn about upcoming opportunities, events, ways to grow professionally, and inspiring stories from network partners.

Subscribe