Technology for Environmental Education

solar bug

Using technology to teach children about the importance of the natural world

There are several ways to use technology for environmental education. Here are a few examples:

  1. Educational apps: There are numerous educational apps available that teach children about environmental issues and how to care for the planet. These apps can be interactive and engaging, making learning about the environment fun and accessible.
  2. Virtual tours: Many organizations offer virtual tours of natural habitats, such as forests, oceans, and deserts. These tours can be an excellent way for children to learn about different ecosystems and the animals that live there.
  3. Online educational resources: There are many online educational resources that provide information and activities to help children learn about environmental conservation. These resources can include videos, games, and interactive quizzes that make learning about the environment fun and engaging.
  4. Sustainability-focused classroom tools: There are also tools and resources available for teachers to use in the classroom, such as interactive whiteboards or smartboards, that can be used to teach children about sustainability and conservation. These tools can be particularly effective when used in combination with other teaching methods.
  5. Green technologies: Children can learn about how technology can help care for the environment by exploring green technologies, such as solar panels, electric cars, and wind turbines. This can help them understand the importance of sustainability and how technology can play a role in protecting the environment.

Overall, technology can be an effective tool for teaching children about caring for the environment, but it should be used in conjunction with other methods to ensure that children develop a well-rounded understanding of environmental issues.

Educational apps for teaching about nature

girl with app on phone

There are many educational apps available that can be used to teach children about environmental education. Here are some examples of the best ones:

  1. Earth School - Developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Earth School provides free, interactive online resources to help children learn about the environment and how they can help protect it. It includes activities, videos, quizzes, and articles on a variety of topics related to environmental conservation.
  2. EcoKids - This app is designed for children aged 7-12 and provides interactive games and activities to teach them about environmental topics such as recycling, climate change, and biodiversity. It is developed by Earth Day Canada and is available in both English and French.
  3. Happy Earth - This app is developed by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and helps children learn about environmental topics such as conservation, biodiversity, and climate change. It includes interactive games, quizzes, and activities to teach children about the importance of protecting the environment.
  4. iNaturalist - This app encourages children to explore nature by identifying and documenting different species they encounter in their local environment. It helps children learn about biodiversity and the importance of conservation by allowing them to contribute to scientific research.
  5. Journey North - This app is designed to teach children about seasonal changes and migration patterns of different species. It includes activities and information about different animals and plants and helps children understand how they are affected by environmental changes.

There are many ways that apps are very effective aspects of technology for environmental education.  These are just a few examples of the best ones. When selecting an app, it is important to consider the age of the children, the topics covered, and the level of interactivity and engagement offered by the app.

Virtual tours for teaching children about the environment

There are many virtual tours available that can be used to teach children about the environment. Here are some examples of the best ones:

  1. Google Earth - Google Earth provides an immersive experience of the planet, allowing children to explore different ecosystems and natural landmarks around the world. They can explore mountains, rivers, forests, and oceans and learn about the unique features of each.
  2. National Geographic Kids - National Geographic offers a variety of virtual tours, including tours of national parks, underwater expeditions, and virtual safaris. Children can learn about the wildlife and ecosystems of different regions and understand the importance of conservation.
  3. The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks - This virtual tour was created by Google Arts & Culture in partnership with the National Park Service. Children can explore five different national parks, including Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
  4. Coral Reef Virtual Dive - This virtual tour allows children to explore a coral reef and learn about the different species that live there. They can also learn about the impacts of climate change and other human activities on coral reefs and the importance of protecting them.
  5. Explore.org - Explore.org offers a variety of live cams that allow children to observe different animals in their natural habitats. They can watch bears in Alaska, elephants in Africa, and sharks in the ocean. This can help children develop a deeper understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the need for conservation.

Virtual tours are an excellent component of technology for environmental education. These are just a sample of the most popular ones but there are many others. So when considering technology for environmental education, virtual tours are definitely worth investing the time.

Solar toys: experiments and projects

Solar helicopter Smart Green Shop
Solar boat

Solar toy activities can be a fun and engaging way to teach children about sustainable energy. Here are some examples of the best solar toy activities for teaching children about sustainable energy:

  1. Solar-Powered Cars: Solar-powered cars can be a great way to introduce children to the concept of sustainable energy. By building and racing solar-powered cars, children can learn about the principles of solar energy and the advantages of using renewable energy sources.
  2. Solar-Powered Robots: Building solar-powered robots can help children learn about sustainable energy while also developing their engineering skills. Children can experiment with different designs and learn about how solar panels work to power the robot.
  3. Solar-Powered Airplanes: Solar-powered airplanes can be a fun way to teach children about the potential of solar energy to power transportation. Children can design and build their own solar-powered airplanes and learn about the different components needed to make them work.
  4. Solar-Powered Boats: Building and racing solar-powered boats can be a great way to teach children about sustainable energy and the potential of using solar energy to power transportation on water. Children can experiment with different designs and learn about the principles of solar energy.
  5. Solar-Powered Science Kits: Solar-powered science kits can provide children with a hands-on learning experience about sustainable energy. These kits can include experiments and activities that demonstrate how solar energy works and how it can be used to power different types of devices.

Overall, solar toy activities can be a fun and engaging way to teach children about sustainable energy. By providing hands-on learning experiences, children can develop a deeper understanding of renewable energy sources and the importance of environmental conservation.

Wind turbines: technology for environmental education

Wind turbines can be a great tool to teach children about sustainability in schools. Here are some ways wind turbines can be used to teach children about sustainability:

windmill toy
windmills
  1. Demonstrate renewable energy: Wind turbines can be used to demonstrate how renewable energy sources work. By showing how wind energy is converted into electricity, children can learn about the advantages of renewable energy and the importance of reducing carbon emissions.
  2. Hands-on learning: Wind turbines can be used as a hands-on learning experience for children. By building and installing a wind turbine on the school grounds, children can learn about the different components of the turbine, how it works, and how it generates electricity.
  3. Data collection and analysis: Wind turbines can be used to collect data on wind speed, energy production, and other variables. By analyzing this data, children can learn about the factors that affect wind energy production and the potential of wind energy as a sustainable energy source.
  4. Curriculum integration: Wind turbines can be integrated into the school's curriculum to teach children about different subjects such as science, math, and engineering. For example, wind turbines can be used to teach children about the principles of physics, geometry, and electrical engineering.
  5. Environmental education: Wind turbines can be used as a tool to teach children about the importance of environmental conservation. By understanding the impacts of fossil fuels on the environment, children can learn about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and the potential of renewable energy sources such as wind energy.


Wind turbines can be a great way to teach children about sustainability in schools. By providing hands-on learning experiences, data analysis, and curriculum integration, children can develop a deeper understanding of renewable energy sources and the importance of environmental conservation.