What's the biggest problem for the environment? "Ignorance!" say Lisa Wollett's 5th-graders in Parma, Michigan. The kids wanted everyone else in town to join them in learning about the problems that the planet faces. So they set up a big, festival-like event: Environmental Awareness Day.

Successful crusaders for the planet know that they must persuade people to care if they want them to change their ways. The first Earth Day celebration, in 1970, did just that. It was a major turning point in environmentalism. Not only did 20 million people participate in cities all over the U.S., but millions more became aware of Earth Day's issues after seeing the events on TV and in newspapers.

An Earth Day of Their Own

In Parma (population: 800) Environmental Awareness Day would be a bit smaller than Earth Day. But to Wollett's class, it was no less important. The students consulted with local and national environmental organizations. They made sure that their efforts were covered by local newspapers, and even started their own paper to get the word out. Some kids worked on plays, games and skits. Nearly everyone did research on pollution, conservation and recycling.

The kids found amazing facts. Did you know that Americans throw away 40 million tons of paper and 65 million aluminum cans a year? That 41% of the waste in landfills is paper? Wollett's class was astounded!

On January 25, every game, information booth and activity was in place. The students had done such a great job with publicity that hundreds of people from all over their county poured into the school.

"The whole gym was packed. We weren't expecting so many people," said Benjamin Scott, 11. "My aunt from California even came."

The visitors played the Wheel Game, the Duck Game and Garbage Toss. They enjoyed the play, learned about acid rain and land pollution, and went on a scavenger hunt for facts at the information booths.

"What was surprising is that we taught adults," said Daniel Raap, 10. "We're the ones who are supposed to be taught. But we kids educated the grownups. When people left, I was really proud."

--By Martha Pickerill. Reported by Maggie Sieger/Parma