Our Education and Outreach Programs
We love providing people with environmental education programs and activities that show them how they can make a difference. Keep Knoxville Beautiful’s programs are FREE to any Knox County school, after-school program, community organization, or business! Each program typically lasts 30-60 minutes, with several aligning with Knox County science standards. To schedule an education program, contact our Education Coordinator at education@keepknoxvillebeautiful.org or click the button below.
9,570 people educated from July 2025-June 2026
Looking for litter with recycled toilet paper binoculars!
Learning about what happens when different pollutants end up in the TN River!
Preschool
Litter Lesson: Learn how litter hurts our Earth and how to help keep it clean! This lesson includes a story, recycled craft, or game.
Storytime and Recycled Crafts: Let students’ imaginations run wild with a story such as “Look Out for Litter” or “Mr. Roll Finds New Life” paired with a fun recycled craft!
Elementary
The 3Rs: Learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle! This lesson is often paired with a story, recycled craft, or recycle relay.
Composting: Learn how to reuse food scraps through composting! This lesson includes a story or mini composter bottle activity.
Dr. Seuss & Resource Use: Learn how to respect natural resources through an interactive reading of “The Lorax”! This lesson pairs well with making clay seed balls.
Earth Explorers: Learn to appreciate the Earth through an outdoor adventure!
Eco Leaders: Learn all the things to make a great environmental steward! This lesson includes a story or activity.
Litter: Learn how litter hurts our Earth and how to help keep it clean! This lesson includes a story, recycled craft, or game. Pair it with a litter cleanup!
Papermaking: Learn how to make paper through a hands-on recycling activity! This activity is usually one hour, and students will take home their handmade paper.
Pollution: Learn how pollutants impact our waterways through an interactive story, “Who Polluted the TN River?”!
Storytime & Recycled Crafts: Let imaginations run wild with a story such as “Michael Recycle” or “The Day the Trash Came Out to Play” paired with a recycled craft!
Where Does My Trash Go?: Learn how landfills work and how to reduce waste! This lesson is often paired with a story or activity.
Middle School
Going on a hunt for litter!
The 3Rs: Learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle! This lesson is often paired with a story, recycled craft, or recycle relay.
Carbon Footprint: Learn about carbon emissions and how to calculate your carbon footprint! This lesson includes a game or activity.
Composting: Learn about greenhouse gases and how to reuse food scraps through composting! This lesson includes a mini composter bottle activity.
Earth Explorers: Learn to appreciate the Earth through an outdoor adventure!
Litter: Learn how litter hurts our Earth and how to help keep it clean! Pair it with a litter cleanup!
Papermaking: Learn how to make paper through a hands-on recycling activity! This activity is usually one hour, and students will take home their handmade paper.
Pollution: Learn how pollutants impact our waterways through an interactive story, “Who Polluted the TN River?” activity, and design a water filter!
Where Does My Trash Go?: Learn how landfills work and how to reduce waste! This lesson is often paired with a story or activity.
High School
History of KKB: Students will learn how our nonprofit came to be and the many programs and volunteer opportunities that we offer.
How to Conduct a Waste Audit: Students will learn the importance of waste reduction and how to conduct a week-long waste audit at their school.
How to Start a Recycling Program: Students will learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle and make a plan to start or improve the recycling at their school.
Litter in TN: Students will learn about litter eradication and prevention and what KKB and TN are doing to help.
Recycling and Composting in Knoxville: Students will learn how to give back to their community and the Earth by reviewing the recycling and composting processes in Knoxville.
Pair these lessons with a litter cleanup around campus!
Field Trips
Racing boats in the Rain Gutter Regatta at WaterFest!
Smurfit Westrock Recycling Center: *Transportation is not funded at this time. Ages 10 and up can tour the local recycling center for free to see how Knoxville recycling gets sorted! Contact KKB to schedule.
WM Chestnut Ridge Landfill: *Transportation is not funded at this time. All ages can tour the local landfill for free and learn what happens to our trash! Contact KKB to schedule.
WaterFest at Ijams Nature Center: FREE annual field trip in May provided by the Water Quality Forum for 2nd-5th graders. Contact the WQF to schedule.
Colleges, Businesses, and Community Groups
Presentations on KKB or mission-related topics
KKB can set up a booth at public events, volunteer fairs, etc.
Green at Work: Educates, supports, and incentivizes businesses that are currently practicing or are interested in implementing recycling and waste reduction initiatives so that they can be an example of sustainability in Knox County.
