The Wayland Middle School Environmental Club

There were already plans by Kimberly Dunkelberg to create an Environmental Club at the Middle School. With my need for a leadership project for the National Honors Society, I thought that I’d be able to help out with the club and fulfill my project in one go. Another climate-activism group I am also involved with, EnergizeWayland, had also taken an interest in the Environmental Club and had introduced me to the idea of helping with it. I thought helping the club get started would be a brilliant way to amplify the student voice amongst the younger crowd as well as educate them.
The club has created a great environment for fostering student climate activism and education.
In one of the club activities, students were challenged to brainstorm actions that any student could accomplish on their own. There is constant talk about cutting down on CO2 emissions by getting electric cars and going solar, but these are not always possible for students unless they can convince their parents. We challenged them to think of ways their peers and them could make a difference, effectively giving the students power and a voice.

The students have been exploring different activities throughout the year, from writing letters urging local leaders to be more climate conscious to creating bird feeders with plastic water bottles.

These students make a difference every week by showing up and being willing to learn and educate themselves. Showing up is something any middle schooler can do to make a change!

Now, the students are working hard to create a display of all the fun and educational activities we’ve done over the course of the club. The display will run for the last day of Earth Month for the entire Middle School to see and hopefully engage with! Happy Earth Day!