Earth Day Science & STEM Activity:Create a Sustainable "New Earth City"
Build a Sustainable Future with This Earth Day STEM Challenge!
Get ready to inspire your students with this hands-on Earth Day STEM Activity where they will design and build a "perfect" city on a newly discovered planet (Planetopia)!
Whether for Earth Day Science lessons or year-round sustainability projects, this activity helps students think critically about sustainability and the impact of their designs.
Design and construct a sustainable city that meets people's needs and environmental concerns.
Follow real-world engineering constraints to guide their designs. 
Test their shelters and analyze their effectiveness.
The Challenge:
Students work individually or in teams to:
Design and construct a sustainable city that meets people's needs and environmental concerns. Follow real-world engineering constraints to guide their designs. Test their shelters and analyze their effectiveness.
Teacher Support
- Video walk-through of the challenge and STEM implementation tips to make prep a breeze
- Step-by-step instructions, modifications for different grade levels, and extension activities.
Editable Student Handouts:
- Criteria & constraints lists
- Analysis templates
- Reflection questions
- Data measurement handouts in three levels to calculate length, perimeter, area, and volume of city structures
Bonus Extension Handouts / Activities:
- Measuring and classifying triangles in New Earth City
- Process flow maps for engineering practice
- Math extensions to calculate and analyze designs
Earth Day activities & celebrations - A meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day and teach students about sustainability.
First Day of Spring centers or early finisher activities
Earth Science lessons - Increase engagement & interest in sustainability, natural resources and more
Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Combines science, engineering, math, and environmental studies.
Flexible & Adaptable: Customizable for different grade levels and classroom settings.
Engaging & Hands-On: Encourages creativity while reinforcing key science concepts.
Teacher-Friendly Resources: Video walk-though for easy prep, modifications for different grade levels, and extension activities.
Year-Round Use: Great for spring STEM challenges or science enrichment anytime
