Here at Amazing People Schools, we value people from the past for their groundbreaking achievements and celebrate the leaders of the future for their enthusiasm and passion for change. On Earth Day, why not share these five amazing people with your students and see if you can inspire your young people to take action to help preserve our planet, just like this collection of amazing people.
If you like what you see, click here to get a free access trial to our learning platform for you school.
Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson was a scientist and writer whose work inspired conservation movements around the world. Many people opposed her work, but she always continued her fight to teach the world about ecology.
Rachel was a brilliant marine biologist and talented writer. More than any other person, she helped raise awareness about humanity’s ability to destroy our world. In 1962, her book, Silent Spring, was published. It explained how the planet would become silent if we continued to use pesticides and pollute the earth.
Since the publication of Silent Spring, the chemical industry has grown to include ‘green chemistry’ – products and processes that reduce substances that are hazardous to humans and the environment.
Rachel Carson’s work led to the formation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agency that works to protect human health and the environment.
Read more about Rachel Carson’s story on our learning platform. Sign up for free access to our incredible resources here.
Greta Thunburg
Greta began learning about climate change at the age of 8. The more she learned, the more she wondered why so little was being done about it. When Greta was 15, she started a school strike to bring attention to the issue. And at 16, Greta was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and was named TIME magazine’s Person of the Year, as well as one of the world’s most influential people. Greta has Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition that causes problems with social and communication skills, however, Greta calls it her “superpower“.
“Why shouldn’t I be able to form my own opinion and try to change people’s minds?”
Greta Thunburg
Jane Goodall
Jane said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Growing up, she loved being outside and watching animals. More than anything she wanted to travel to Africa to see the animals that lived there. But Jane’s family didn’t have enough money to send her to Africa – or even to college. So Jane trained as a secretary and got a job. Jane’s mother always said, “If you really want something, you’re going to have to work hard . . . don’t give up.” And Jane didn’t – she eventually became the world’s greatest expert on chimpanzees.
Jerome Foster
Jerome Foster II is a 19-year-old, American climate justice activist, voting rights advocate and political advisor. At the tender age of 18 he became the youngest ever person to be given a place on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
He recently told The Guardian; “I’m the only person under 40 on the whole panel, so when I got there I was like, ‘Am I supposed to be here?’ But it was their intention to bring in the youth perspective on climate change. I was a bit startled at first but now I’m getting used to it.”
He is well known for establishing Fire Drill Fridays, a weekly climate strike held in front of the U.S. Capitol Building, with fellow climate activist Greta Thunberg joining him when she was in America.
Foster has achieved an immense amount in his 19 short years, he truly is one to watch.
“My parents always told me that you can’t just sit there and mope or be angry, no one is going to care. You have to actually do something.”
Jerome Foster II
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin was a geologist, botanist, writer and explorer whose ideas transformed the way we understand the natural world. His book, ‘On the Origin of Species’, is one of the most important science books ever written.
Just some of the things named after Charles Darwin include geographical features around the world, over 250 species of plants and animals, a lunar crater, an asteroid, and a computer operating system.
Charles Darwin observed variations in nature within a species (evolution) and wrote ‘On the Origin of Species’ almost 100 years before DNA was identified.
The Darwin-Wallace medal is awarded by the Linnean Society of London, for major advances in evolutionary biology.
If you want to find out more about our online learning platform, get in touch for a free full access trial here!