Sustainability Demonstrations

See also: Pollution and Conservation, Weather and Climate

Sustainability demonstrations focus on how resources can be used responsibly so that natural systems can continue into the future. They are valuable because they link science concepts with practical choices and long-term thinking.

Demonstration	Materials	Difficulty	Safety	Summary
Carbon Dioxide Greenhouse Jar	★★☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	This experiment models the greenhouse effect using jars filled with different controls and a baking soda–vinegar reaction to produce carbon dioxide. By comparing temperatures in jars with and without trapped CO2, students see how greenhouse gases can trap heat.
Compost in a Bottle	★☆☆	★☆☆	★★☆	This experiment creates a mini compost system inside a plastic bottle. By layering soil and organic waste, students can observe how microorganisms break down materials over time, producing nutrient-rich compost that can later be used to grow plants.
Distribution of Earth’s Water	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	Cups and measured amounts of water are used to visually represent how much of Earth’s water is salt water compared to fresh water, and how the fresh water is further divided among glaciers, groundwater, and surface water.
Homemade Water Purifier Model	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	Students build a simple water filter using a cut plastic bottle and layers of materials like sand, gravel, cotton, and activated charcoal. The experiment shows how filters remove impurities from dirty water, though the filtered water is not safe to drink.
Investigating Plant Growth	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	Students set up several seedling pots to test one need at a time by comparing a control with three treatments: no water, salt water, and no light. They track growth over time using simple height markings to decide which conditions help plants stay healthy.
Oil Spill Cleanup	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	This demonstration models an oil spill in water using vegetable oil. Students explore how oil floats on water, test different cleanup methods, and learn how dish soap helps break up oil.
Paper Recycling	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	This activity and explanation show how paper is recycled, both industrially and at home. Paper fibers can be broken down into pulp, cleaned, and re-formed into new paper products, reducing the need for tree harvesting and helping conserve natural resources.
Pizza Box Solar Oven	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	This activity demonstrates how sunlight can be harnessed to cook food. A pizza box lined with foil and sealed with plastic wrap becomes a solar oven, concentrating the sun’s rays and converting them into heat energy to warm or cook food.
Soil Erosion Model	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	Students build a simple erosion model using soil-filled bottles to investigate how ground cover (grass or mulch) reduces soil erosion compared to bare soil. By simulating rainfall, they observe differences in water clarity and soil loss, linking soil conservation to water quality and agriculture.
Tragedy of the Commons Fishing Simulation	★☆☆	★☆☆	★☆☆	This classroom simulation models the “Tragedy of the Commons” using colored marshmallows (or other small items) as fish. Students compete to maximize their catch but quickly discover that overfishing leads to resource collapse, while cooperation and restraint allow the population to replenish.
Water Salinity and Density	★☆☆	★★☆	★☆☆	Salt water and fresh water can form distinct layers due to differences in density. By testing with an egg and layering colored water, students can observe how salinity affects whether water sinks, floats, or mixes.

Materials
★☆☆ Easy to get from supermarket or hardware store
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories

Difficulty
★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
★★★ Requires a more experienced teacher

Safety
★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required
★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
★★★ Only to be attempted with adequate safety procedures and trained staff