The United Nations International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated each year worldwide on September 16. This international treaty was enacted to protect the ozone layer by eliminating the use of ozone-depleting substances and has led to the phase-out of 99 percent of ozone-depleting chemicals in refrigerators, air-conditioners and many other products.

The focus of World Ozone Day 2025 will center on the theme "From Science to Global Action: 40 Years of the Vienna Convention." This theme commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, highlighting the journey from scientific understanding to global cooperation in protecting the ozone layer. The theme highlights that the Montreal Protocol, serves as a model for addressing global environmental challenges, demonstrating the power of global collective action, international cooperation and science-based decision making. 



Educators are encouraged to organize classroom activities that focus on topics related to ozone, the ozone layer and the connection between ozone action and planetary health.

Grades K-2

OzonAction Education Pack

This resource aims at educating students about the protective role of the ozone layer and the causes and consequences of its depletion. Through various practical, hands-on activities, students learn concrete and simple solutions to help protect the ozone layer and ways to enjoy the sun safely. The activities teach students protection steps to help reduce their UV health risks and the sun's harmful effects.



Activities

• Brainstorm a list of sun protection tips. Have students draw a picture following one of the sun protection rules (p.50)
• Take the students for a walk around the school and conduct a shade audit. Ask them to identify the sources of shade. Have the students map their schoolyard or surroundings, including the shaded sources and surfaces
• Sing along with the Ozone Song, which celebrates the healing of the ozone hole. Discuss practical actions students can take for the protection of the ozone layer and sun-safe habits and behaviours

Grades 3-5

Ozzy Ozone

Ozzy Ozone and Alberta the Albatross take students on a voyage of discovery to learn what

is attacking the ozone layer. This animated video informs students on the role the ozone layer plays in protecting us from the sun's rays, the natural consequences of the depletion of this natural shield and, most importantly, what actions they can take to help make a difference. 

Activities

• Watch Ozzy Ozone to learn more about the role of the ozone layer in protecting us from the sun's rays and the natural consequences of the depletion of the ozone layer. Learn what actions they can take to help make a difference 
• Design a poster about sun protection and ozone depletion, labelled with acceptable ozone-friendly practices and sun-safe behaviours
• Play the Ozzy Ozone Game to learn practical tips to enjoy the sun safely and how to help save the Earth's Ozone Layer

Grades 6-8

Greenhouse Gas Game

Through interactive play on a life-sized game board, students are introduced to three of the most common greenhouse gases and the role they have in the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect. Students add or remove greenhouse gases from their shared atmosphere to experience the impact of human actions.



Activities

• Play the Greenhouse Gas Game in a large outdoor space to learn about three of the most common greenhouse gases and the role these have in the natural and enhanced greenhouse effect
• Complete the Scoping out Shade activity, where students analyze the shade availability in the schoolyard and propose strategies to be more sun-smart in built and natural environment
• Play the Clean Air Game to learn about types of air pollutants, their impact on people's health and the environment, and actions individuals can take to prevent air pollution

Grades 9-12

What Ever Happened to the Hole in the Ozone Layer?

Around 30 years ago, scientists found a massive and growing hole in the ozone layer. How is it doing today? This video presents a quick and concise overview of the ozone layer - what it is, what caused the thinning of the ozone layer, the international response to that thinning (Montreal Protocol), and the current state of the ozone layer.

Activities

• Discuss the links between ozone-depleting chemicals and climate change, the causes and effects of the Earth's ozone holes and what they believe needs to be done locall
• Have students read the Montreal Protocol. Have them create and implement their version of the Montreal Protocol. They can present ideas at their own mini-Montreal Protocol meetings 
• Get outdoors to play The Role of C02, where students take on the roles of different components of the Earth's surface and atmosphere to demonstrate in concrete terms the greenhouse effect and how human activity is affecting it

About Learning Inside Out

Above you will find a selection of activities, broken down by various grade levels. These guides will be released biweekly and archived on our Learning Inside Out page, so you can always access the full catalogue.

Some of the activities have been modified from resources on our R4R database, simplified and adapted for both outdoor learning in the school yard or at-home as needed. The activity descriptions above should contain all the information and links that you need!

If you'd like to view the full original resource on R4R, including curriculum connections for every province/territory, click the activity title.

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