Hands-on ecology: real-life activities for kids

1. Preparing the essentials. An ecology dictionary

Creating a journal

Building an ecology toolkit

Interviewing a naturalist

A day in the life of an ecologist

2. What is an ecosystem? Providing the essentials

Producing nature's energy

Food web

Decomposition

Worm habitat

Creating mini-ecosystems

3. A local ecosystem. Mapping your local ecosystem

Ecosystems within ecosystems

A square yard

Soil quality

Understanding the carbon cycle

Water quality

4. Studying populations. Animal populations

Plant populations

Adaptations

5. Human impact on the environment. Erosion

Air quality

Acid rain

Local water pollution

Global climate

6. Making a contribution to conservation. Earth Day internet scavenger hunt

Hosting a speaker or an assembly

Writing and performing

Tree-planting event

Launching a poster campaign

Litter pick-up day

Conservation penny drive

Recycling project

Composting

7. Creating a wildlife garden. Making a contract with nature

Building a habitat pile

This place is for the birds

Bee boxes and spider spaces.