15 Sustainability Projects for Middle School Students

If you are in middle school and want to make a real difference for the planet, you are at the perfect age to tackle some seriously cool projects that focus on sustainability! Whether you want to cut down waste at your school, start a garden, or figure out ways to save energy, you can take on a project that aligns with your goal while helping solve real problems.

A sustainability project is a hands-on activity where you create, test, or advocate for solutions that help protect the environment, conserve resources, or make communities healthier! As a middle school student, working on a project now can be a valuable way to explore your interests before high school. Starting early also gives you more time to improve, expand, or even completely change your project based on what you learn along the way.

What are projects for middle school students?

Projects are activities you can design and carry out yourself or within a small group. They usually take place outside of normal school assignments and can focus on a personal interest, such as environmental issues, technology, or art. Sustainability projects, in particular, encourage you to think about real-world problems and find practical, creative ways to solve them.

Why should I do a project in middle school?

Middle school is a good time to experiment with different topics before the higher demands of high school. By starting a sustainability project now, you can build a strong foundation in research and problem-solving. You will also have the chance to collect meaningful results over time, which can add value to your future applications to programs, internships, or competitions. Most importantly, you will be able to see your work make a difference in your school or community! Here are 15 sustainability projects for middle school students that you can explore.

15 Sustainability Projects for Middle School Students

1. Plastic-Free Lunch Challenge

You can come up with a plan and challenge your peers and other school students to bring lunches without single-use plastic packaging for a week or a month. Track participation, measure waste reduction, and share your findings with your school community.

Materials/investment required: Reusable containers, promotional posters or flyers, and tracking sheets

Suitable for: Beginners interested in environmental awareness and community engagement

2. Rainwater Collection System

Design a small rainwater harvesting system to collect and store water for garden use. This can be a great way to learn about water conservation and engineering basics.

Materials/investment required: Rain barrel or large container, gutter attachment, and mesh filter

Suitable for: Students with basic building skills

3. Sustainable School Garden

Start a garden that uses compost and native plants to reduce water usage and chemical fertilizers. Document plant growth and harvest yields over time.

Materials/investment required: Seeds, soil, compost bin, and gardening tools

Suitable for: Beginners/students interested in biology, ecology, or agriculture

4. Upcycled Art Exhibit

Collect discarded materials and turn them into art pieces to display at school or a local community center. This can help promote creative reuse and waste reduction.

Materials/investment required: Recyclable or discarded materials and basic art supplies

Suitable for: Students with an interest in art and design

5. Energy Audit of Your School

Work with school staff to measure your school’s energy use and identify areas where electricity could be saved. Present recommendations in a student-friendly format.

Materials/investment required: Energy meters (can often be borrowed) and any spreadsheet tool

Suitable for: Students interested in data analysis and environmental science

6. Local Species Habitat Project

Research native species in your area and create habitats, such as birdhouses or pollinator gardens, to support them.

Materials/investment required: Building supplies for birdhouses and native plant seeds

Suitable for: Students interested in wildlife conservation and ecology

7. Clothing Swap Event

Organize a clothes exchange at your school to reduce textile waste. Track how many items are reused instead of thrown away.

Materials/investment required: Collection bins, tables, and event space

Suitable for: Students with organizational and communication skills

8. Compost Education Campaign

Teach your peers how to compost at home or school through presentations, posters, or short videos. Present a demonstration bin if possible.

Materials/investment required: Compost bin and educational materials

Suitable for: Beginners/students interested in public speaking and environmental education

9. Solar Oven Experiment

Build a simple solar oven from cardboard and reflective materials to cook small snacks. Record temperature changes and cooking times. 

Materials/investment required: Cardboard box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and thermometer

Suitable for: Students interested in physics, engineering, and renewable energy

10. Waste-Free Event Plan

Create a step-by-step guide to hosting events without single-use plastics or excessive waste. Test it while helping organize a school activity or club meeting.

Materials/investment required: Planning templates and reusable dishware/utensils

Suitable for: Beginners/students with an interest in event planning and sustainability practices

11. Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Research and create homemade cleaning products using at-home ingredients. Compare their effectiveness with store-bought options.

Materials/investment required: Baking soda, vinegar, essential oils, and spray bottles

Suitable for: Beginners interested in chemistry

12. Water Pollution Awareness Display

Design an interactive display for peers, school, and/or community, explaining using data and science how pollution affects your local waterways. Also, share solutions for preventing contamination.

Materials/investment required: Poster boards, photos, and water samples (optional)

Suitable for: Students with an interest in environmental science and education

13. E-Waste Collection Drive

Set up a collection where your peers and community members can bring old electronics to be recycled responsibly. Partner with a certified recycling company.

Materials/investment required: Collection bins and promotional flyers

Suitable for: Students interested in technology and recycling

14. Plant-Based Recipe Book

Create a cookbook featuring plant-based recipes, highlighting their environmental benefits. Share it digitally or in print.

Materials/investment required: Word processing software and photos of meals

Suitable for: Students interested in sustainable cooking and nutrition

15. Sustainable Transportation Week

Plan a campaign to encourage people to walk, cycle, or use public transit for a week. Track participation rates and calculate estimated carbon savings.

Materials/investment required: Tracking sheets and promotional posters

Suitable for: Beginners/students with an interest in environmental activism and data collection

One other option—Lumiere’s Junior Explorer Program

If you are looking for guidance on developing your sustainability project and turning it into something bigger, consider applying to the Lumiere Junior Explorer Program. It is designed for middle school students who want to explore academic topics and create meaningful projects with 1:1 mentorship. You will work with a researcher from a top university to design and carry out a project in your chosen field, whether that’s environmental science, technology, or the humanities. The program is conducted virtually, making it accessible wherever you are, and includes flexible scheduling to fit your school year or summer plans. It is a way to develop research skills early and create a project you can continue into high school!

Lydia is currently a junior at Harvard University, studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She aims to become a life sciences consultant after graduation.

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