Dear Teachers,

I would like to introduce you to Northern Environmental Action Team’s (NEAT) environmental education programs for schools.

We offer fun, activity-filled educational programs that are designed to increase students’ awareness of the environment around them and how they can reduce their footprint, or environmental impact.

Some programs meet the Learning Outcomes set for specific grades. We also offer basic programs such as Recycling, Composting, Water Conservation and Ecological Footprints.

Our goal is to develop a series of inter-connected programs, just as all aspects of the environment are related. These programs can be either a stand-alone presentation or part of a series. Currently, the main focus is on waste reduction and water conservation. Coming soon, we will be able to offer presentations on climate change, energy conservation and air quality and other aspects of our urban environment.

We can also design other programs to suit your needs. If there is a specific topic that you’re working on and you would like to include an environmental aspect, please contact us.

Presentation Descriptions

Recycling

Practical information about local recycling opportunities as well as an introduction to the waste reduction hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

• Kindergarten, Gr. 1—Garbage sort
• Gr. 2,3—Sort it Out Relay
• Intermediate—Landfills and Waste Reduction

Composting

By composting, we literally improve the Earth! We bring a worm compost bin to demonstrate composting in action.

• Kindergarten, Gr. 1, 2—Composting for beginners
• Intermediate—Compost Happens

Consumerism/Packaging

Looking at where much of our solid waste comes from, what it costs and what can be done to avoid it.

• Gr. 2, 3—Be a Smart Shopper/Reduce packaging 
• Intermediate—True Cost of Packaging

Water Conservation/Slow the Flow

Water is a precious resource and the presentations focus on how we can treat water better and use less.

Primary and Intermediate presentations:

• Pass the Bucket
• Comparing Water Use|
• Water Wasters vs. Smart Water
• Users (a dramatic activity for primary students)
• Best Excuses for intermediate students

The Legend of the Lorax

Suitable for grades 6-7. A whimsical video based on Dr. Seuss’ book is followed by a discussion about resource management. The focus is on stewardship and sustainable growth.

Non Point Source Pollution

(Intermediate classes) Identifying pollutants and what non-point source pollution is with a demonstration.

Renewable Resources

Intermediate grades. A discussion of sustainability, stewardship, and renewable versus non-renewable natural resources.

Other Classroom Activities

• Environmental Jeopardy
• Recycling Bingo
• Compost Tag
• Cart Smart Relay
• What’s your H20 IQ?

Other Projects and Resources

Help set up your classroom recycling or worm composting program

• Litterless lunch challenge
• Green Team
• Support
• Waste Audits
• Resource
• Library