Green Scene Blog - National Geographic Kids: Conservation Archives

Thursday, October 22, 2009

German Students Win Solar House Contest

Posted By NG Kids

Photograph by Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon

Team Germany won the Solar Decathlon contest to create a house that uses solar power to supply energy for everything in the house, from the computer to the TV. Architecture and engineering students from around the world competed in the decathlon. The winning house, built of solar panels and colorful acrylic panels the team called "sun freckles," was one of 20 designs that were set up on the Mall in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon.

Watch a video and see the winning house on National Geographic News!

Would you want to design a solar house?

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

WaterLife Game

Posted By NG Kids

Illustration: Valerie and Oscar from WaterLife

Help Valerie and her otter pal Oscar save Oscar's estuary home, and find out why estuaries and all waterways are important. Play Waterlife, a new game from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration game.

Play WaterLife on the NOAA website.

Read about the 2007 Coastal Cleanup on National Geographic Kids.

Image courtesy NOAA

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Get Outside on Father's Day!

Posted By NG Kids

What are you going to do with your dad or grandpa on Father's Day? What does your dad like to do on a day off?

If you are looking for some fun outdoor activities that help the environment, check out this list of things you can do with your dad! Then invite him to join you.

-Help with yard work duties.

-Plant a fruit tree, berry bush or plant a garden together.

-Pick some berries at a local farm. Then make a delicious dessert for dad.

-Get some green tips from the stars of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.

-Go on a bike ride with your dad.

-Campout in your backyard with your dad.

-Recycle paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass containers. Then challenge your dad to game of Recycle Roundup. See who can sort the most items in the shortest amount of time!

-Pick up trash at a park or creek near where you live.

Photograph by Chris Rice, My Shot

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Kids Change Their Cafeteria

Posted By NG Kids

Photograph by Peter Cosgrove/AP

Some kids in Maryland were concerned that their lunch trays are made of styrofoam (like in the picture above) and their utensils were made of plastic, so they decided to do something about it. Members of the Piney Branch Elementary School's Young Activist Club recently testified at a city council meeting about the wastefulness of the trays, and they have also raised over $9,000 to buy washable plates, utensil, and dishwashers for the cafeteria.

The Montgomery County school system is looking at the issues and is concerned that repairing cafeteria dishwashers (as well as hiring someone to run them) could raise the cost of school lunches.

Read more about the outspoken kids at Piney Branch Elementary School on The Washington Post.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Guinness Attempt Continues

Posted By NG Kids

NG Kids is attempting to establish a new Guinness World Record for most clothing collected for recycling! Once we have counted and boxed all the denim jeans, we'll send them to CottonFromBlueToGreen.org to reprocess into insulation for storm damaged homes.

So far we have collected 7959 denim items! Please keep them coming and help us set a record.

Learn more about the denim drive and watch a video about turning cotton into denim and then into insulation!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Ocean Now

Posted By NG Kids

Do you know what healthy coral reefs looks like, how many sharks swim there, and what makes them stay so vibrant? National Geographic Fellow Enric Sala and a team of marine scientists want you to help them uncover the secrets of the last healthy, undisturbed parts of the ocean.

Photo: Coral reef and fish

Photograph courtesy Enric Sala

Follow them on a six-week journey to a chain of pristine islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

Send them your questions, meet the crew, see pictures of coral reefs, watch videos, read their blog, and track the expedition on a map,

Visit Ocean Now.
Learn more about Enric Sala.

National Geographic Kids