Introduction
Every day at school we use electricity, water, paper, plastic and many other resources. Sometimes we waste them without even noticing it. Our school can become a cleaner, greener and more environmentally friendly place, but this requires practical ideas and responsible decisions. Imagine that your class has been asked to create an Eco-Friendly School Action Plan. Your task is to investigate environmental problems connected with school life, find useful solutions and decide which changes would work best in your school. At the end of the WebQuest, you will present your ideas and show how students can help protect the environment through simple everyday actions.
Task
Your class will work in groups of four. Each student will take one role and investigate one aspect of an eco-friendly school:
- Waste Management Expert - studies how the school can reduce waste, reuse materials and improve recycling.
- Energy Expert - finds ways to save electricity and use energy more efficiently at school.
- Water Conservation Expert - investigates how students and teachers can reduce water consumption.
- Green Space Expert - explores how the school can improve green areas, protect plants and support biodiversity.
Your group’s mission is to answer the question: How can we make our school more eco-friendly?
Your final project will include:
- an Eco-Friendly School Action Plan;
- a poster or infographic with the main recommendations;
- a short group presentation explaining which changes your school should introduce and why.
Process
1. Form your group.
Work in groups of four. Each student chooses one role:
- Waste Management Expert
- Energy Expert
- Water Conservation Expert
- Green Space Expert
2. Discuss the problem together.
Before starting your individual research, discuss these questions:
- What environmental problems can you notice at school?
- Which resources are often wasted?
- What could students and teachers change?
- Which problems should be solved first?
3. Research your role.
Waste Management Expert
Research ways to reduce waste at school. Focus on:
- paper and plastic waste;
- food waste;
- recycling bins;
- reusable school supplies;
- ways to reduce unnecessary waste.
Energy Expert
Research ways to save electricity at school. Focus on:
- classroom lighting;
- computers and other electronic devices;
- heating and cooling;
- energy-saving habits;
- renewable energy.
Water Conservation Expert
Research ways to reduce water use at school. Focus on:
- taps and bathrooms;
- drinking water;
- cleaning;
- possible water leaks;
- everyday water-saving habits.
Green Space Expert
Research ways to improve the school environment. Focus on:
- trees and plants;
- school gardens;
- biodiversity;
- protecting local plants and animals;
- creating greener outdoor spaces.
4. Prepare your research notes.
Each expert should write down:
- the environmental problem;
- two or three important facts;
- possible solutions;
- the best recommendation for the school;
- the sources used.
5. Share your findings.
Present your research to the other members of your group. Compare your ideas and decide which solutions are realistic and useful for your school.
6. Choose the best recommendations.
As a group, select at least eight practical recommendations for your final project.
7. Create the Eco-Friendly School Action Plan.
Your Action Plan should include four sections:
- Waste Reduction
- Energy Saving
- Water Conservation
- Green Spaces
For each section, include:
- the problem;
- the proposed solution;
- the expected benefit.
8. Create a poster or infographic.
Show the most important recommendations from your Action Plan in a clear and attractive visual format.
9. Prepare your presentation.
Each expert should present their section and explain:
- what problem they investigated;
- what they discovered;
- what action they recommend;
- why this action would help the school.
10. Check your work before presenting.
Make sure that:
- all four environmental areas are included;
- your recommendations are realistic;
- your information comes from reliable sources;
- your poster or infographic is clear;
- every group member participates.
Evaluation
| Criteria | 4 - Excellent | 3 - Good | 2 - Satisfactory | 1 - Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Information | Information is accurate, relevant and supported by reliable sources. | Most information is accurate and relevant, with only minor gaps. | Some information is incomplete, unclear or insufficiently supported. | Information is limited, inaccurate or not supported by reliable sources. |
| Eco-Friendly Solutions | Recommendations are realistic, practical and clearly explained. | Most recommendations are realistic and explained well. | Some recommendations are too general or only partly explained. | Recommendations are unclear, unrealistic or poorly explained. |
| Final Product | The Action Plan and poster/infographic are complete, well organised, informative and visually clear. | The final product is mostly complete, clear and well organised. | The product contains some incomplete or unclear sections. | The product is incomplete, poorly organised or difficult to understand. |
| Use of English | English is clear and accurate, with appropriate environmental vocabulary and very few mistakes. | English is generally clear, with some minor mistakes that do not affect understanding. | There are several mistakes that sometimes affect understanding. | Frequent mistakes make the project difficult to understand. |
| Teamwork and Presentation | All group members participate actively, cooperate effectively and present their ideas clearly and confidently. | Most group members participate actively and the presentation is clear. | Participation is uneven or the presentation lacks clarity. | Teamwork is weak and the presentation is difficult to follow. |
Maximum score: 20 points
- 18–20 points — Excellent
- 14–17 points — Good
- 10–13 points — Satisfactory
- 5–9 points — Needs Improvement
Before submitting your project, use this rubric to check whether your group has completed all the requirements.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the WebQuest “How Can We Make Our School More Eco-Friendly?”
During this project, you investigated environmental problems connected with school life and explored practical ways to reduce waste, save energy and water, and improve green spaces. You worked as a team, compared different ideas and created your own Eco-Friendly School Action Plan.
Now think about your work:
- Which environmental problem in your school seems the most serious?
- Which of your recommendations could be introduced immediately?
- Which idea would have the greatest positive effect?
- What can students personally do to make the school more eco-friendly?
Choose one recommendation from your Action Plan and think about how it could be put into practice in real school life.
Credits
Information resources:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Reducing Waste at Schools
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - WaterSense
- National Wildlife Federation - Schoolyard Habitats
- National Wildlife Federation - Schoolyard Habitats Planning Guide
This WebQuest was created for educational purposes.
Teacher Page
Subject: English
Grade: 9
Topic: Environment and Environmental Protection
WebQuest Title: How Can We Make Our School More Eco-Friendly?
WebQuest Type: Design Task
Group Format: Students work in groups of four.
Roles:
- Waste Management Expert
- Energy Expert
- Water Conservation Expert
- Green Space Expert
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the WebQuest, students will be able to:
- use topic-related vocabulary connected with environmental protection;
- search for and select relevant information from online sources;
- analyse environmental problems and suggest practical solutions;
- express and justify their opinions in English;
- cooperate effectively in groups;
- create and present an Eco-Friendly School Action Plan.
Final Products:
- Eco-Friendly School Action Plan;
- poster or infographic;
- group presentation.
Recommended Duration: 2-3 lessons plus independent research.
Assessment:
Students are assessed according to the evaluation rubric, which includes research quality, eco-friendly solutions, final product, use of English, teamwork and presentation.
Teacher’s Role:
The teacher organises group work, explains the task, helps students with difficult vocabulary and reliable sources, monitors the research process and provides feedback during the preparation of the final products.