Explore Earth Hour 2025 with these suggestions from the Developing Experts team
Earth Hour is an annual event that shines a spotlight on the importance of protecting our planet. For just 60 minutes on the 22nd of March, Earth Hour invites you to spend an hour doing anything that has a positive impact on Earth - anything at all!
Since you won’t be at school with your pupils when Earth Hour takes place, you could explore some of the themes in class instead. Here are our picks for activities and units for you to discuss with your pupils that cover the important issues raised by Earth Hour.
At this stage, you could begin by discussing why the pupils think the Earth is important. What do they think all living things might need to survive, and what might stop them from getting those things? Explore what we can do to help the planet, such as planting trees or growing pollinator-friendly flowers. If you’re able to, you could go on a nature walk to observe the variety of living things in your area.
Our top picks for units to explore are Year 2 - Living Things and Their Habitats (Habitats around the World) and EYFS - Plants. Both of these units are available on the Developing Experts platform and you can use them to explore the amazing diversity provided by the Earth.
At KS2, pupils will likely have a keen understanding of how human life impacts the environment. You could discuss what they think about voluntary work, such as taking part in a park clean-up or litter pick, and whether they’d consider growing their own vegetables or cultivating a mini herb garden. Do they know how sustainable different materials are and why some materials are more damaging to the environment than others? Some pupils may have consumed media elsewhere, perhaps in the form of a documentary or novel.
At KS2, why don’t you have a look at Year 4 - Living Things and Their Habitats (Conservation) and Year 6 - Looking after Our Environment. Both of these units are perfect options to explore the issues raised by Earth Hour.
At KS3, you could focus more closely on the Earth’s energy resources. Energy is a key topic in any science curriculum and is also key to understanding why the planet’s natural resources are declining. You could also explore environmental activism, encouraging pupils to write a persuasive letter to a government figure to practice articulating why they feel the planet needs urgent action. Watching a documentary about climate change, biodiversity and species loss could also be beneficial.
Good unit options for KS3 pupils include Earth and Atmosphere and Ecosystems and Evolution 1. These units are both available in Developing Experts’ KS3 curriculum.
Earth Hour is a beautiful reminder of how small actions can create a big impact. It’s a symbol of hope and unity, showing that when we stand together, we can make a difference. All across the globe, the world pauses and reflects. Earth Hour reminds us that even in the dark, our collective commitment to a brighter, greener future continues to shine. Check in with your pupils after the weekend to see if they engaged with the topic too.