Schoolyard’s original films are created hand-in-hand with teachers and students, ensuring they meet real classroom needs. Most films run under 20 minutes, making it easy to fit into a lesson, and every one includes ready-to-use learning resources, which are aligned to national and state standards, so you can begin teaching or learning straight away. While we also showcase partner films to broaden perspectives, Schoolyard’s own collection is designed from the ground up to spark discussion, curiosity and discovery in every classroom.
20 mins
Stone Biter - Saving the Arctic Sea Forests
When an Italian photographer moves to Northern Norway, he carries a dream: to explore the icy Arctic waters and film the iconic wolffish amongst lush kelp forests. But beneath the surface, he finds a stark reality - an ocean floor stripped bare, where the once-thriving sea forests have nearly vanished.
20
Europe
Arctic kelp forest restoration, Northern Norway marine conservation, Sea urchin barren Arctic, Atlantic wolffish habitat, Underwater deforestation Norway, Ocean climate change solutions, Saving underwater forests, Arctic ocean biodiversity, Ismaele Tortella, Amberjack Films
16 mins
For Deer Life
For Deer Life follows a dedicated group of volunteers in Austria who use thermal drones to locate and rescue newborn roe deer fawns hidden in meadows before the fields are mowed. Their remarkable efforts show how technology, compassion, and cooperation with farmers can help wildlife and agriculture coexist.
16
Europe
Roe, Deer, Fawns, Farming, Conservation, Wildlife, Protection, Tyrol, Thermal, Drones, Coexist, habitat loss
Episode 1 -
16 mins
Ocean Plastic - Paradise Polluted (Ep1)
Plastic is everywhere... even in the paradise of the Hawaiian Islands.
16
North America
Ocean Plastic, Micro, Pollution, Gyre, Laysan, Albatross, Papahānaumokuākea, Hawaii, Bolus, Nurdle, Z333
22 mins
A Project for the Planet - Service Learning in your community
Students from four different schools in three different locations learn about local environmental issues and commit to making a difference in their community... and for their planet.
22
North America
Service, Learning, Activism, Artificial, Reefs, Restoration, Oysters, Apple, Snails, Native, Plants, Invasives
13 mins
In The Wild... with Bears
Alaskan Bears in the wild are the focus of wildlife filmmaker, Erin Ranney! Listen to her share her passion for the bears and the Alaskan wilderness in "In the wild... with Bears" from Schoolyard Films.
13
North America
Brown, Grizzly, Bear, Alaska, Cinematography, Women, STEM, Careers, CoHabitation, Wildlife, Tourism, Photography
Episode 2 -
15 mins
Ocean Plastic - Seeking Solutions (Ep2)
So, what are ways forward out of this plastic mess that we’ve created? In California schools, students perform weekly trash audits, and learn how much waste they produce and what to do with it all.
15
North America
Global, Ocean, Plastic, MicroPlastics, Pollution, Fungi, Mycelium, Lignin, Composting, Recycle, Single Use, Packaging
Episode 3 -
22 mins
Ocean Plastic - Making Waves (Ep3)
Join a group of pro-active high school students as they learn how to get their concerns about global plastics and their voices heard by policy makers and company CEOs.
22
North America
Global, Ocean, Plastics, MicroPlastic, Pollution, Student, Activism, Recycle, Legislation, Single Use, Packaging, Environmental
9 mins
Octopus - Superhero of the Sea
Join High School student-explorers, Liam and Olivia, as they learn from Marine Biologist, Chelsea Bennice, about the amazing superpowers of her research subjects: the Octopus!
9
North America
octopuses, cephalopods, camouflage, biomimicry, chromatophores, adaptation, observational, learning, reef, predators, research, SCUBA
13 mins
Gopher Tortoise - Secrets of the Burrow
Join Field Biologist, Amanda Hipps, on her research and discovery of the Secrets of the Gopher Tortoise Burrow!
13
North America
Gopher Tortoise, Burrow, Commensal, Prescribed, Burn, Beetle, Urban Encroachment, Endangered, Women, STEM
3 mins
How Plastic Took Over the World - Animation
This short animated film looks at the history, business, and politics of plastic, and leaves us with the thought that any change that has ever happened in the world has started with a small group of motivated individuals.
3
North America
Animation, Global, Ocean, Plastic, Microplastic, Recycle, Petrochemical, Single Use, Packaging, Environmental, History
4 mins
To Midway And Beyond - Filming Pacific Plastic - Behind the Scenes
A "Behind the Scenes" look at the production and crew filming, "Paradise Polluted - Pacific Plastic" (from SchoolyardFilms.org) on Midway Atoll in the Pacific.
4
North America
Behind the scenes, Film Making, Hawaii, Papahānaumokuākea, Ocean, Plastic, Micro, ornithology, Midway atoll
13 mins
Finding Palemahan
Finding Palemahan focuses on the story of Tangkas Village, a community in Bali, Indonesia found a solution to plastic pollution by uniting behind an ancient philosophy: Tri Hita Karana. The philosophy is depicted by a triangle representing a way of living harmoniously with gods, nature, and other human beings.
13
Asia
Plastic, pollution, waste management, Island Eco system, recycling, cultural adaptations, Spiritual, Human, Nature, Palemahan
17 mins
Polar Bears Unplugged
Global Climate Change is effecting all of us, but the images of receding ice and its devastating effects on Polar Bears may seem far away. What can anyone do to help? High School student, Kylee Sipowski, has an idea!
17
North America
Polar Bears, Endangered, Climate Change, Global Warming, Energy Conservation,
Carbon Emissions, Activist
17 mins
Coral Reef Rescue
Coral Reefs are being impacted by climate change, ocean acidification, and other pressures. Join us as we investigate ground-breaking science with accelerating coral growth in the lab, creating nurseries in the ocean, and actively replanting reefs!
17
North America
Coral Reefs, Global Climate Change, Ocean Acidification, Bleaching, Biodiversity,
Conservation, Environmental Protection, Habitat
20 mins
Clear Water, Clean Water? - Exploring the Floridan Aquifer
The Floridan Aquifer is an essential fresh water resource for millions of people, a vast waterway under our feet! Divers explore this underground river and report back about negative impacts.
20
North America
Fresh, Water, Drinking, Source, Agriculture, Nitrates, Pollution, Sustainability, Cave, Diving, Exploration, Urbanization, Clean, Clear
5 mins
Underground, Underwater, and in the Dark - Filming in the Floridan Aquifer
"Behind the scenes" for the Schoolyard Film, "Clear Water, Clean Water?" An exploration of the Floridan Aquifer / Cave Diving film about fresh water resources.
5
North America
Behind the Scenes, Film Making, Underwater, Photography, Fresh, Water, Cave, Diving, Exploration
20 mins
Chameleon Corridors
Chameleon Corridors is a captivating nature film from Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains that is told through the eyes of a chameleon, weaving together community-led forest reforestation and deep conservation ethos as he works with kids to protect and restore his habitat.
20
Africa
Chameleon, camouflage, deforestation, habitat loss, reforestation, replanting, forest, conservation, sustainability, exploitation, Africa, Tanzania
13 mins
Finally I Sea
Proximity to water, especially the sea, is associated with many positive measures of physical and mental wellbeing, from higher levels of Vitamin D to better social relations. Many urban children are unaware of how it feels to be in nature and its calming and rejuvenating effects because they have never been.
13
Europe
Urban isolation, swimming, exercise, nature, stress relief, sensory stimulation, learning, exploration, adventure, creativity, meditation
15 mins
Phoebe's Humpback Whale Adventure
Join high school student, Phoebe Fitz, in her quest to learn about humpback whales in Hawaii!
15
North America
Humpback, Whale, Acoustic, Whale Song, Singing, Cetacean, DNA, Maui, Hawaii,
Whale watching, STEM
16 mins
Horseshoe Crabs - Prehistoric Paramedics
Middle School students in South Carolina investigate Horseshoe crabs, their life cycle, habitats and the threats that affect them... turns out, they are SUPER important!
16
North America
Horseshoe Crabs, Horse Shoe, LAL, Biomedical, South Carolina, Red Knot, Migration, Bacteria
14 mins
Invasion of the Alien Fish
This is a story of communities banding together for environmental protection and of proactive advocacy for sustainable habitats against an invasive species.
14
North America
Lionfish, nonnative species, venomous, poisonous, coral reef, habitat, Florida Keys, alien, invasive
14 mins
A Day on the River
A Day on the River offers a springboard for classroom discussion on many environmental and science topics such as wildlife ecology, resource conservation, and the nature of science.
14
North America
Turtles, Invasive Species, Spring Fed, Rivers, Aquifer, Florida, Pet, Turtle, Cormorant, Anhinga
14 mins
A Dolphin's Return
A captivating account of a distressed young Atlantic Spotted Dolphin’s amazing rescue, rehabilitation and release!
14
North America
Dolphin, Conservation, Radio Tracking, Animal Rescue, Florida Keys, Rescue, Wildlife,
Rehabilitation, Volunteers
13 mins
Back to the Wild… in Florida
David Hitzig, animal caregiver with a heart of gold and a sanctuary to run. Join his team and see what this dedicated group does, everyday, to help these wild animals. Rescue, Rehab and Release!
13
North America
Wildlife, Rescue, Release, Veterinary Care, Gannets, Florida, STEM Careers, Owls, Possums, Iguanas
9 mins
A Summer on Golden Pond
Our film looks at the real Golden Pond and its wildlife; Loons, deer, beavers, porcupines, and more... told through the eyes of an avid hiker and biologist.
9
North America
Conservation, Beavers, Loons, Porcupines, Squam, Lakes, New Hampshire, Pond, Urban Encroachment, Kayaking
19 mins
Against the Current
A farm family promotes the restoration of a dry creek… complete with fish! Everything is connected. Happy fish, happy farm, happy planet.
19
North America
Trout, Fishing, Creek Restoration, Farming, Agriculture, Ranch, Water Rights, STEM Careers, Sustainability
29 mins
Florida's Wild Side
See the wild side of Florida! Alligators, Manatees, Dolphins and Sea Turtles... oh my!
29
North America
Florida, Manatees, Alligators, Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Everglades, Wetlands,
Conservation, Underwater, STEM Careers
9 mins
Bat Women of Panama
Bats... lots of bats.
9
North America
Bats, Panama Canal, STEM, Smithsonian, STRI, Tropical, Rain Forest, Research,
Women Scientists
Other Collections
Explore our other categories of award-winning environmental films:
Rising Star Student Collection
Award-Winning Environmental Films from Master’s Degree Film Students