The theme for Earth Day 2025 is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET, inviting everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy, and to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.
As part of this year’s Great Science Share for Schools, pupils can delve into the complex issue of energy generation and usage in an age-appropriate way using the Great Sustainability Share resources.
Working Scientifically with real data
Enable your pupils to use real data to research global energy production, using case studies from contrasting countries. Pupils and teachers work scientifically by researching countries’ energy use (renewable and non-renewable) and make a model to represent the information they have found. They work together to make a leaderboard of countries based on their sustainable energy use and decide if a country should ‘stick’ or ‘switch’ their position based on their renewable energy statistics!
Cross-curricular contexts
The issue of energy provides an ideal real-world context for pupils to work in a meaningful cross-curricular way – developing not only their working scientifically skills, but covering key geography learning too, along with the application of maths skills. One key activity uses percentages, with pupils demonstrating a chosen country’s energy production as a visual bar model.
The Science and Engineering Research and Innovation Hub (SEERIH) Sustainable Science Masterclass model fully supports the message of encouraging communities across the globe to consider using more sustainable energy sources. During the Masterclass, the whole suite of resources that you can access when downloading the Great Sustainability Share are used.
Sensory experiences for all
The Great Sustainability Share inspires pupils to use sensory and practical experiences to explore the forces of air and water resistance. From simple engaging activities such as running with different sizes of bags to feel the effect on the size of the force, to exploring how to make a water wheel, pupils are experiencing the fundamentals of what could otherwise be an abstract concept.
“Empowering children and teachers through our innovative sustainable science masterclass model not only builds professional capacity but also fosters understanding and engagement with a more sustainable future — where every young minds have the power to shape the planet they will inherit.”
How to Get Involved
Download the Great Sustainability Share resources – everything you need including teacher notes and pupil activity sheets
Share your pupils’ learning as part of this year’s Great Science Share for Schools
Tag us on X @GreatSciShare using #GSSfS2025
Check out our new Instagram channel @greatscishare