Schools play an essential role in educating new generations to be eco-responsible. Through eco-responsible activities and innovative fund-raising, schools can encourage the development of healthy lifestyles among their students, for the well-being of both the community and the planet.

In this article, you will find various ideas for environmentally-themed activities to try out with your elementary or high school students. You will also discover how to raise funds with EDQ, without asking for a penny!

Eco-anxiety in young people: understanding and taking action

More and more often, school professionals are confronted with the eco-anxiety of their young students. Eco-anxiety, a growing concern among young people of generations Z and Alpha, manifests itself as intense worry about environmental issues.

This form of anxiety can have a significant impact on the mental health of young people, who are increasingly exposed to alarming news about the climate, whether through the media or social networks. This constant exposure can create a sense of helplessness and anxiety, particularly when young people feel unable to influence decisions that affect their future.

That’s why it’s no longer enough for teachers to make future citizens aware of environmental issues: they must also reassure them and give them hope. Eco-anxiety is not an unjustified fear: it’s a legitimate response to real threats. By addressing these concerns openly and proactively, teachers can not only allay their students’ fears, but also inspire them to become agents of change themselves.  

Eco-responsible activities in elementary school: introducing young people to the environment the easy way

Would you like to initiate your elementary school students in developing their environmental awareness and help them cultivate healthy, eco-responsible habits?

Here are 4 suggestions for practical and creative activities you can do in your elementary school classroom: 

Gardening in the classroom

Introduce your students to gardening by growing herbs or vegetables in pots found at home or at the ecocentre. This activity is a great way to introduce them to the   importance of eating locally. Small pots make the best vegetable gardens!

Creating with recycled materials

Organize a workshop where your students can make useful, everyday objects from recycled materials. This activity will make them aware of the value of second-hand items, while giving them a chance to express their creativity.

Cleaning up a municipal park or school yard

Organize a clean-up mission in the school yard or a nearby park. In this way, you can demonstrate the impact of waste in a concrete way and develop students’ sense of responsibility for the living spaces around them.

Introduction to composting organic waste

Install a composter in the school yard to introduce your students and those in other classes to the magic of composting. In addition to the scientific appeal of this experiment, it helps demonstrate that organic waste is a precious resource.

Eco-responsible activities in high school: equipping the citizens of tomorrow

Are you a high school teacher? Your students will benefit from more elaborate activities, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues.

Here are 4 suggestions for unique and engaging activities to do in your high school classroom:

Research projects on climate change

Give your students the opportunity to carry out a research project on the impacts of climate change and ways of adapting to it. This will enable them to develop their critical thinking skills, while discovering the existing solutions to ensure their future.

Waste reduction workshops in schools

Encourage your students to learn about a practice that is part of an eco-responsible lifestyle and then organize in-class workshops where everyone, individually or in teams, shares their new knowledge with everyone else.

Participate in a community garden initiative

Involve your students in a community gardening project, whether it’s a municipally-supported initiative or even a garden created on school property. This will raise their awareness of the importance of urban agriculture and collaborative work.

Organize an environmental theme day

Join with other teachers and help your students organize a day on the theme of the environment. You could present films and hold lectures on relevant topics, such as biodiversity or responsible consumption.

Fund-raising with EDQ: an approach that’s both ecological… and economical!

We have all sold (or bought) those well-known chocolate bars to benefit a school activity of some kind. But did you know that you could organize a fund-raising activity with EDQ?

In fact, this non-profit organization (NPO) offers schools a unique way to raise funds… without asking contributors for a penny!

Why choose EDQ for your next school fund-raiser?

What if, instead of emptying their wallets, parents and friends simply trimmed down their clothes closets to support your students’ next fund-raiser? Thanks to EDQ, you can organize a school fund-raising activity that encourages responsible consumption and promotes reuse.  

When you choose to organize a fund-raiser in collaboration with EDQ, you contribute to waste reduction in your community, while supporting a cause that aims to benefit the community at large.

How do I organize a fund-raising activity with EDQ?

Would you like to call on EDQ for your next school fund-raiser? It’s really easy! Here are the steps to follow:

• Choose the date or period of time for the fund-raiser.
• Announce the activity and specify the items accepted.
• Collect donations from your contributors.
• Schedule EDQ collection of donations.
• Receive an amount of money from EDQ in exchange for the donations collected!

Contact us to find out more about organizing a fund-raising activity with EDQ.

Together, let’s give the next generations a greener future

By integrating eco-responsible activities into your students’ everyday lives and by opting for innovative fund-raising solutions, schools can play a key role in shaping eco-conscious, committed citizens.

With over 30 years’ experience in reclaiming and repurposing second-hand items, Entraide diabétique du Québec (EDQ) is the ideal partner for your school-based environmental initiatives.

Have a project in mind? Contact our team! It would be our pleasure to help educate future generations.