Why Earth Science Week Matters in Your Classroom
From October 12–18, classrooms everywhere will be celebrating Earth Science Week, organized by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI). This year’s theme, “Energy Resources for Our Future,” invites students to explore how Earth systems and human choices shape the world around them.
If you’re like most teachers, though, you might be thinking: “I love the idea, but where am I going to find the time to plan for it?” We’ve got you covered. Switch Classroom has pulled together ready-to-go Earth Science Week activities for classrooms that make it simple to celebrate, with no extra prep and no added stress.
Free Earth Science Week Activities for Classrooms
To make it easy, we put together a free Earth Science Week One-Pager and Curriculum Alignment Guide packed with quick, flexible ways to explore energy in your classroom. Whether you teach fourth grade or twelfth, these free resources are built to make your life easier and your lessons more impactful:
- Hands-on projects exploring different energy sources.
- Discussion prompts that connect energy concepts to student curiosity.
- Curriculum links aligned to NGSS and state standards.
You can print the one-pager or drop it into your LMS. Whether you have a single class period or a full week to dive in, this guide helps you celebrate Earth Science Week without losing momentum in your existing lessons.
Student Contest Opportunities
Want to take it a step further? Earth Science Week also includes student contests that tap into creativity across subjects, giving students of all disciplines the chance to showcase their creativity and scientific thinking.
Contest categories include:
- Photography – capture Earth Science in a single image
- Video – tell a compelling Earth Science story
- Visual Art – illustrate the wonders of our planet
- Essay – reflect on Earth Science topics in writing
All entries are due October 17th, making them perfect for in-class competitions, enrichment projects, or extra credit assignments. You can find all the details at earthsciweek.org/contests.
3 Ways to Use Earth Science Week in Class
If your week’s already packed (whose isn’t?), here are three quick, meaningful ways to make Earth Science Week part of your lessons:
- Starter Activity: Play the Energy Impact Dice Game to explore how different energy choices affect people and the environment.
- Project Extension: Assign one of the contests as a creative project—great for early finishers or enrichment groups.
- At-Home Connection: Use the Family Energy Awareness Challenge to help students continue energy discussions and observations beyond the classroom.
Why It Matters
At the heart of Earth Science Week is a bigger story, one where your students begin to see themselves are part of the planet’s future. When they explore energy, they’re not just learning facts. They’re discovering how their choices shape the world, and how they can make a difference.
That’s the kind of learning that sticks.
FAQ
Q: What free resources are available for Earth Science Week?
A: Switch Classroom offers a One-Pager and Curriculum Alignment Guide with hands-on Earth Science Week activities for classrooms.
Q: What grade levels are these activities designed for?
A: The Switch Classroom Earth Science Week guide includes activities that are adaptable for grades 4–12.
Q: Can I adapt this for a single class period?
A: Absolutely. The guide is flexible enough for a quick one-day celebration or a full week of lessons.
From Our Teacher Advisory Council:
“Earth Science Week is the perfect time to connect your students’ natural curiosity with real-world energy challenges. With hands-on Earth science Week activities for classrooms, a free alignment guide, and national contests that spark creativity, you’ll make this celebration meaningful, memorable, and totally doable.” – Ben Schosek, Wilmington, NC