Who am I in the green world?
The method introduces students and clients to green professions in an interactive way by playing a guessing game (Charades or Who Am I?) about eco-friendly careers. Students ask questions to identify their “mystery” green profession, fostering awareness of sustainable careers and the skills needed for jobs that contribute to a better, greener world. This activity promotes environmental awareness, teamwork, and communication skills, encouraging students to think about eco-conscious career paths.
Inspiration for the tool
Similar activity from the methodological manual of preventive counselling at public employment services in Slovakia
Rationale: Why is this needed?
This method is needed because it playfully raises young people’s awareness of green careers and supports their communication, teamwork, and focus on a sustainable future.
Objectives
By the end of the activity, participants will be able to:
- Discover different green professions and understand their roles.
- Develop the ability to describe and understand various professions.
- Cooperate and communicate effectively with their peers.
Resources needed
- Cards with green professions (listed below)
- Paper and pens
- Whiteboard or flipchart (to record professions
Activities
- Introduction (10 minutes) Introduce the objectives of the activity and explain that the pupils are going to play a game where they will learn about different green professions by describing and guessing what the other person is doing.
- Preparing the cards (5 minutes) Distribute the cards with the green professions among the pupils so that they do not see the name of the profession on their card. The professions can be simple and understandable for primary school, such as:
- Gardener: care for plants and flowers.
- Recycler: help in sorting and recycling waste.
- Environmental advisor: help with energy and water conservation.
- Eco-energetician: Designing energy saving solutions.
- Naturalist: The study of plants and animals in nature.
- Preparing for the game (10 minutes) Each pupil is given a card to attach to his/her back (using stickers or sticky paper). The card contains the name of the profession they have to guess. Pupils ask each other questions to find out what profession they have on their backs. People can only answer “yes” or “no”. If the answer is “no”, they move to another person.
- Game (20 – 30 minutes) Pupils move around the classroom and ask questions to help them find out what is on their card. They can ask about different roles and characteristics of the profession. For example:
- “Am I working outside?”
- “Am I helping people save energy?”
- “I take care of the plants?”
Other pupils answer their questions and help them find out what profession they have on their backs.
- Discussion about professions (10 – 15 minutes) After the game is over, all pupils gather and discuss what professions they guessed and what roles are associated with them. List the basic educational requirements and skills for each profession and explain what it takes to practice those professions.
- Reflection and conclusion (5 minutes) Summarise the main points of the exercise and ask the pupils for their opinions. The questions can be:
- Which profession interested you the most and why?
- What skills and education are important for this profession?
- How can you adapt and prepare for green professions now?
Variants:
- Team puzzles: divide pupils into teams and have them work together to find out what professions they have on their backs. Each team member can ask questions.
- Quick round: Do a quick round where students have just a few minutes to guess their profession.
This exercise is a fun and interactive way for pupils to explore different green professions and develop their communication and deduction skills.
Note: Examples of other professions to prepare cards
- Ecologist: Exploring and protecting the environment and ecosystems.
- Sustainable designer: designing and creating products from recycled or eco-friendly materials.
- Conservationist: working to protect nature reserves and wildlife.
- Water and Purification Specialist: caring for the quality of the water and ensuring that it is clean and safe.
- School Ecologist: Help improve the school’s environmental practices, such as waste sorting and energy conservation.
- Composting Expert: Help with making and using compost to improve your soil.
- Urban Gardener: work on community gardens in urban areas.
- Recycling Artist: Creating art from recycled materials.
- Green Architect: designing buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
- Ecologist for Schools: working with schools to improve green practices and environmental education.
- Natural History Guide: leading field trips and educational activities in the outdoors.
- Solar technician: installation and maintenance of solar panels for clean energy production.
- Beekeeper: Bee care and honey production.
- Renewable energy expert: Work on projects using wind, solar or hydropower.
- National Park Authority: caring for national parks and ensuring their protection.
- Ecologist on school projects: helping to set up school projects to protect the environment.
- Sustainable fashion expert: Designing and manufacturing clothing from eco-friendly or recycled materials.
- Animal conservationist: working to protect animals and their natural environment.
- Urban Planner: Designing urban spaces that are environmentally friendly and functional.
- Green roof specialist: designing and installing roof gardens on buildings.
- Natural medicine expert: Using plants to produce natural medicines and healthy products.
- Climate activist: working on projects and campaigns to combat climate change.
- Hydrologist: the study of water in nature and work for its conservation and proper use.
- Green Journalist: Writing articles and reports on environmental issues and sustainability.