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Environmental Scientist

Did You Know?

Environmental scientists have used tree rings to uncover evidence of droughts, floods, and wildfires from hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

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FIRST STEPS

How to Get Started

Getting started in environmental science begins with paying attention to the natural world and asking questions about how it works. Observing plants and animals, exploring different habitats, and wondering why things change over time are all early steps. Building skills in observation, data collection, and scientific thinking takes practice, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from what you find outdoors and in the lab.

Explore the Basics

Start learning about environmental science by becoming an observer of weather and seasons in your own neighborhood. Each day, look outside and notice what the sky looks like, how the temperature feels, and whether plants and animals are doing anything different than yesterday. Ask questions like "Why are there more bugs on warm days?" or "Where do puddles go when they disappear?" and talk with family members, teachers, or librarians to find answers that help you understand how nature works.
 

Try It Out

Start a nature journal where you observe and record one small part of your yard or a nearby park every week for a month. Each time, draw or photograph what you see, write down the weather and temperature, and note any changes in plants, animals, or the environment. At the end of the month, look back through your journal to spot patterns—maybe certain insects only appear on warm days, or a particular plant grows taller each week—and write down what you think those patterns might mean.

Join the Community

Visit a local nature center for one of their guided nature walks led by naturalists who teach you how to identify plants, animals, and signs of wildlife in your area. During the walk, ask questions about what you see, listen to stories about how the ecosystem works, and practice observing nature the way environmental scientists do. Many nature centers offer these walks for free or low cost and welcome families with children who want to learn more about the environment.
 

WATCH & LEARN

How to Become a Environmental Scientist

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CURATED LEARNING RESOURCES

Explore more resources for a future Environmental Scientist

Book
Jane Goodall Book for Curious Kids: Exploring the Extraordinary Life of a Pioneer Scientist Among Her Chimpanzee Companions (Great Minds for Curious Kids)

Jane Goodall Book for Curious Kids: Exploring the Extraordinary Life of a Pioneer Scientist Among Her Chimpanzee Companions (Great Minds for Curious Kids)

Eric Lylani

Why We Picked It

This engaging introduction to Jane Goodall's life encourages kids to follow their curiosity and care deeply about animals and the natural world.

Career Connection

Environmental scientists conduct long-term field observation to understand ecosystems, and Goodall's decades-long study of chimpanzees is one of the greatest examples of that patient, methodical research.

Book
The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps

The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps

Jeanette Winter

Why We Picked It

This beautifully illustrated story captures Jane Goodall's lifelong dedication to observing, understanding, and protecting chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

Career Connection

Field biologists spend years conducting patient observational research in remote ecosystems, and Goodall's story shows kids the dedication and methodology that define professional wildlife science.

Toy / Game / Kit
4M Green Science Solar Rover, DIY STEAM Powered Kids Science Kit, Boys & Girls Ages 5+

4M Green Science Solar Rover, DIY STEAM Powered Kids Science Kit, Boys & Girls Ages 5+

Why We Picked It

This creative kit teaches sustainability by having kids repurpose a soda can and harness solar energy to power a moving rover made from recycled materials.

Career Connection

Environmental engineers develop solutions that reduce waste and harness renewable energy, and this project introduces the same design-with-sustainability thinking that drives green technology innovation.

Continue Your Journey

Keep exploring everything this career has to offer.