Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) has announced the celebration of National Earth Science Week from October 12 to 18, focusing on the theme “Energy Resources for Our Future.” The initiative aims to encourage families to learn about energy use and sustainability.
According to PWCS, families are encouraged to explore how daily energy choices impact the planet’s future. Students and families can engage in hands-on activities designed to teach practical ways to conserve energy and promote critical thinking about its use.
Suggested activities include an “Energy Detectives” walkthrough, where participants count plugged-in devices and identify power-saving methods. Other activities involve experimenting with solar energy using cups of water, testing wind power with paper pinwheels, exploring water power with flowing bottles, and making a family energy pledge to adopt new habits like turning off lights or shortening showers. Each activity is intended to engage families in observing, analyzing, and discussing how energy works and how their actions can make a difference.
Earth Science Week 2025 focuses on understanding how energy choices affect the environment, society, and the economy while promoting sustainable practices for future generations. According to the American Geosciences Institute, the week includes educational resources, contests, webinars, and community events designed to spark curiosity about geosciences’ role in daily life and inspire stewardship of the planet.
PWCS is noted as the second-largest school division in Virginia and 32nd largest in the nation. It serves over 90,000 students across various educational levels and offers a range of academic programs including Advanced Placement courses and International Baccalaureate courses. Under Superintendent Dr. LaTanya D. McDade’s leadership, PWCS reports a 94.3% on-time graduation rate and over $123 million in scholarships for the class of 2024.
