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Thoughtfully Sustainable

Are you a parent or teacher that’s looking to integrate science and sustainability concepts into your learners’ lives? I’m here to help! My name is Jessica and I’m a science teacher and mom that creates hands-on sustainability and STEM lessons for grades K-8 to cultivate critical thinking skills and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Featured Post

That Post-Holiday LEGO Cleanup (But Make It Sustainable)

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM ideas that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds., Hi Reader, If you’re in that strange, quiet space between Christmas and New Year’s — where pajamas are acceptable all day and suddenly the kids’ rooms feel very full — you’re not alone. If LEGO bricks are part of your post-holiday cleanup plans, there’s a way to declutter that feels genuinely good. I just shared a new blog post all about LEGO Replay, a program that lets...

Sustainability Advent Calendar

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi friends, If you’re looking for a simple, meaningful way to slow down this December and weave in some everyday sustainability with your kids, I made something just for you. Introducing the Thoughtfully Sustainable Advent Calendar — a set of two printable pages designed to help families shift the focus from “more stuff” to “more intention.” For $5.00, you’ll get: Printable...

Gameboard designed with 3D printed pieces

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi friends, As we head into gift-giving season, I’ve been thinking about the toys our kids actually return to over and over again. So many toys end up in the “play once and forget” category, but creativity-driven tools with long-term use are worth the upfront investment. One of the best examples in our home is our Toybox 3D printer. We’ve had it for four years, and my son...

Wall covered with Lego mini figures

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, A few years ago, I was picking up a rainbow of Lego bricks scattered across our living room floor—one of those classic parenting moments where you question every life choice that led you to step on a brick. But then I noticed something funny: one of the bricks in my hand was mine. As in, from my childhood. Somehow it had survived decades, multiple moves, and now my...

Child discards food scraps into a compost bin

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, Looking for an upcoming summer activity that’s simple, screen-free, and secretly educational?Let’s talk composting—a hands-on way for kids to learn about nature, food waste, and taking care of the planet... all while getting their hands delightfully dirty. To help you get started, I’ve put together two thoughtful resources: 📚 A curated list of compost-themed...

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hey Thoughtfully Sustainable friends! Let’s be real—eggs are still egg-streme-ly expensive, which makes it the perfect time to squeeze every bit of value (and fun!) out of them. This year, turn your egg dyeing into something extra special with a simple science experiment that kids will love. My latest blog post shows you how to create fizzy, colorful eggs using just a few...

Sustainability bingo card on a wooden table

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, April is Earth Month, and there’s no better time to get our learners thinking about how they can make a difference in their own backyards, schools, and neighborhoods! 💚 To help spark meaningful conversations and actions, I’ve updated one of our community favorites — Sustainability Bingo! What is it?A hands-on, student-friendly game that encourages kids to take...

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, Simply put—Rachel Carson changed the way we see the world. She was a scientist, writer, and environmentalist who helped people understand that protecting nature protects us all. Her work led to real change, inspiring generations to care for our planet. So, how can we introduce kids to her legacy in a fun and engaging way during Women’s History Month? I’ve rounded...

5 children’s picture books sit on top of a wooden table

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hey there, Thoughtfully Sustainable friends! March is Women’s History Month, and what better way to celebrate than by diving into some incredible books about real-life women in science? 🌟🔬 From astronauts to ocean explorers, these books will spark curiosity, inspire young minds, and show kids that science is for everyone! I’ve put together a must-read list of picture books...

Sustainability bingo card

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM projects that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, Roses are red,Violets are blue,This Valentine’s Day,Let’s show Earth some love too! Forget the plastic trinkets and sugar rush meltdowns—this year, let’s make classroom parties both fun AND eco-friendly! Enter: Sustainability Bingo 💚♻️—a simple, engaging way to get kids thinking about loving the planet while they celebrate love and friendship. 🎉 What’s in it for...