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Thoughtfully Sustainable

One Book. One Goal. One Small Action for Our Oceans.

Published about 1 month ago • 2 min read

The Conscious Classroom

Simple, sustainable STEM ideas that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds.

Hi Reader,

Back in June, I invited you to join our Summer Sustainable Development Goals Reading Challenge by downloading the free printable SDG coloring poster and reading one children’s book for each of the 17 Global Goals.

This week, we’re diving into Sustainable Development Goal #14: Life Below Water.

Summer has always been the season when my family gravitates toward the water. Whether we’re spending a week at the beach, exploring tide pools, watching dolphins from the boardwalk, or simply collecting shells along the shoreline, those moments remind me just how incredible our oceans are—and how important it is to protect them for future generations.

One of my favorite things about the Sustainable Development Goals is that they give us a way to turn that wonder into learning.

This Week’s Challenge: Life Below Water

Sustainable Development Goal #14 focuses on conserving our oceans and protecting the plants and animals that live beneath the surface. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help kids understand why healthy oceans matter—not just for marine life, but for all life on Earth.

To kick off this week’s challenge, start by watching this short, kid-friendly video that explains Life Below Water:

video preview​

Then, grab a book from the free SDG #14 picture book list, read together, and color in Goal #14 on your printable poster. One goal down, sixteen more adventures to go!

FAMILY CHALLENGE

The Five-Piece Cleanup

The next time your family visits the beach, a lake, a river, or even a neighborhood creek, challenge everyone to pick up five pieces of litter before you leave.

It may not seem like much, but every bottle cap, food wrapper, or plastic bag you remove helps keep our waterways cleaner and protects the animals that call them home. Plus, it’s a simple way for kids to see that even small actions can make a big difference.

Book Highlight: Shark Lady

This week’s featured book is Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating.

Long before sharks were widely misunderstood, Dr. Eugenie Clark was diving alongside them to uncover the truth. At a time when many people viewed sharks as dangerous, mindless predators, she showed the world they were intelligent, curious creatures worthy of both respect and protection.

Known as the “Shark Lady,” Dr. Clark became one of the world’s most influential marine biologists. She completed more than 70 deep-sea dives, discovered fascinating behaviors in dozens of fish species, founded what is now the Mote Marine Laboratory, and inspired generations of young scientists—especially girls—to pursue careers in marine science.

I recently shared her incredible story on the blog, along with why Shark Lady is one of my favorite picture books for introducing kids to marine conservation and women in STEM.

Read more about Eugenie Clark and why this book belongs on your bookshelf. Then download my free, printable shark coloring sheet!​
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I’d love to hear how your family is enjoying the challenge! Hit reply and let me know which Sustainable Development Goal you’ve read about so far—or if you have a favorite ocean-themed children’s book that deserves a spot on the list.

Happy reading,

Jessica

P.S. Haven’t started the Summer Sustainable Development Goals Reading Challenge yet? There’s still plenty of time! Download the free Sustainable Development Goals coloring poster, print it out, and let your kids color in each goal as they complete a book. It’s a simple (and fun!) way to explore the world together, one story at a time.

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Thoughtfully Sustainable

by Jessica Purcell

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.

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