Celebrate Earth Day with Free Resources to Support Sustainability in D&T

Published 14th April 2025

This Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the role that design and technology can play in building a more sustainable future — and to inspire students to think critically about the impact of the products they create and use.

Whether you're looking to update your own knowledge, refresh your teaching, or spark new conversations in the classroom, there are a range of free, high-quality resources available to support you.

Explore the E-Learning Course

The online course Embedding Sustainable Practice in Design and Technology is a brilliant starting point. It explores sustainability in product design and provides practical guidance on how to bring these concepts into your teaching. Start the course.

Watch the Sustainability Masterclass

Looking for a quick, engaging way to refresh your thinking? The Sustainability Masterclass introduces key principles and shows how sustainability can be woven through the design process. Watch the masterclass.

Keep Up to Date with the Latest Thinking

What role should sustainability play in the curriculum? How is climate change education evolving? This article provides helpful insights for D&T teachers looking to stay informed. Read: Climate Change and Sustainability Education in England.

Real People, Real Careers in Sustainability

Bring careers education to life with short videos featuring professionals working in sustainable design roles:

• Adam, Design Manager at Black+Blum

• Joe, Design Manager at Black+Blum

• Clare, Designer at ECHO Brand Design

These are fantastic for showing students the real-world impact of sustainable design — and the wide range of pathways open to them.

Join Expert Webinars

Two free webinars provide further industry insight and inspiration:

• Sustainability in Industry: ECHO Brand Design. Watch now.

• Can Biology Help Us to Design More Sustainable Textiles? Watch now.

Ready-to-Use Teaching Resources

Whether you're planning for KS1 or KS4, there are classroom-ready resources available:

• Primary sustainability resources

• Secondary sustainability resources

These are ideal for embedding sustainability into everyday teaching without adding to your workload.

Listen on the Go

Prefer to listen? These podcast episodes offer a different perspective on sustainability in design and education:

• Live at Arts University Bournemouth

• In conversation with Barnabas Shelbourne

• In conversation with Alex Ball, BA (Hons) Student

Perfect for sparking your own ideas or sharing with students as discussion starters.

By using these resources, you can support your students in becoming thoughtful, responsible designers — not just for Earth Day, but for the future.