profile

Thoughtfully Sustainable

Your Sustainability Advent Calendar Is Here!

Published 3 months ago • 1 min read

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 #1: 25 Ready-to-Go Sustainability Actions

A one-page calendar with a short, kid-friendly action for each day. These are quick wins — things like turning off lights, choosing a low-waste snack, or giving something at home a second life. Perfect for posting on the fridge or tucking into a morning routine.

Printable #2: A Blank Version for Your Family to Fill In

Think of this as a creativity prompt. You and your kids can brainstorm your own sustainability practices and write them in together. It’s an engaging way to get children thinking about small choices that make a big difference—especially during a season that can be so waste-heavy.

Whether you follow the ready-made calendar or create your own, it’s an easy activity to spark conversations, build habits, and bring a little more mindfulness to the holidays.

I hope this little tradition brings joy and purpose to your home this season. If you try it, send me a picture — I love seeing your families in action.

Sustainably yours,
Jess
​Founder of Thoughtfully Sustainable

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
A young girl riding a white pony while jumping over an obstacle outside

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM ideas that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, The Lunar New Year began on February 17th — and this year is the Year of the Fire Horse. Now if you know our family, you know this feels extra meaningful over here. My daughter competing at her first jumping show. My 13-year-old has been riding English for five years and is completely in love with everything horses — the muddy boots, the grooming, the braids, the...

6 days ago • 1 min read
Children at a pond in winter watching mallard ducks

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM ideas that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, If you need a simple, meaningful, zero-prep activity for this weekend — I’ve got one. Checking out the ducks at our local pond. Did you know the Great Backyard Bird Count is happening February 13–16? It’s completely free to participate, and it’s one of the easiest ways to turn your kids (or students!) into real-life citizen scientists. Hosted by the Cornell Lab of...

13 days ago • 1 min read
3 people stand on the Olympic winners podium at the Olympic Jumping Complex

The Conscious Classroom Simple, sustainable STEM ideas that reduce waste, spark curiosity, and inspire young minds. Hi Reader, The 2026 Winter Olympics begin today, and if you’ve been around here for a while, you know our family loves the Olympic Games. My kids and I standing in front of the Olympic Jumping Complex in Lake Placid, NY A few years ago, we traveled to Lake Placid, NY — home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics — and explored the training grounds where athletes once stood on the...

20 days ago • 2 min read