profile

Thoughtfully Sustainable

The Day a Single Lego Brick Changed How I Think About Sustainability

Published about 2 months ago • 1 min read

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 own kids’ engineering adventures.

That’s when it clicked: durability isn’t the enemy of sustainability. Waste is. And Lego bricks, with their remarkable longevity, are the opposite of disposable.

That realization changed how I use Legos in both my home and my classroom. These little bricks are:

  • A built-in circular economy tool
  • An endlessly reusable STEM resource
  • A natural entry point for conversations about materials, design, and eco-innovation
  • A low-waste alternative to single-use craft supplies

If you’ve ever wondered whether plastic bricks belong in a sustainable lifestyle, my latest post dives into exactly why they do—and how they can support thoughtful, low-waste STEM learning every day.

P.S. - If you were raised in the 80s, you may love this new set as much as I do ⬇️*

Sustainably yours,
Jess
​Founder of Thoughtfully Sustainable

*affiliate link - if you click, thank you for supporting my work ❤️

​

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.

Read more from Thoughtfully 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...

10 days ago • 1 min read
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...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read
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...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read