June 15 was Nature Photography Day, a perfect opportunity to combine creativity with curriculum while helping students develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. While the official day has passed, now is the ideal time to build on its excitement and momentum! Whether students captured stunning images yesterday or you’re looking to integrate photography into upcoming lessons, this is a chance to embrace nature as a learning tool.
With digital cameras now widely accessible, students can explore math and science concepts through photography by creating learning objects —or, alternatively, use free Creative Commons Zero (CC0) images from sites like Unsplash (reviewed here) and Pixabay (reviewed here). For additional sites to find pictures, visit the Teachers First’s Free Image Resources Special Topics Page .
Here are some ideas that encourage students to view nature through different lenses:
Elementary: My Backyard Ecosystem Journal
Encourage students to document nature in their surroundings, whether at school, home, or local parks. Turn it into an interactive scavenger hunt using Goosechase Edu (reviewed here), compiling a list of items based on science standards. AI tools, like Claude, can help generate a list with prompts such as:
“I want to create a nature scavenger hunt for my 3rd-grade students. They will take photographs of selected items, including plants, animals, and habitats in our zip code – xxxxx. Include two options for students to include items found that aren’t on the list. The list can include up to 15 items.”
For student journaling, Canva for Education (reviewed here) has a new feature that creates code and a website based on your description. Use Canva AI code features to create student or class observation journals like this one, allowing students to upload pictures, add descriptions, categorize findings, and more.
Interested in challenge extensions for advanced students? Encourage students to research and add scientific names of animals and plants. Include an additional section on your website for students to discuss the impact of climate change on nature in your location.
Middle School: Citizen Science Photo Essay
Students can engage in citizen science projects, such as bird and butterfly censuses, by photographing local species. Explore the TeachersFirst Citizen Science collection learn more about the importance of citizen science projects and find links to relevant projects.
To document participation, have students create photo essays using Adobe Express (reviewed here), Book Creator (reviewed here), or Canva (reviewed here). This cross-curricular project builds both science knowledge and writing skills.
- Student Guide – Provide this Student Project Checklist as a helpful guide to keep students on track as they complete the project.
- Introduce the format to students – Share 10 Examples of Immersive Photo Essays to inspire them.
- Lesson Planning – Use an AI tool like MagicSchool (reviewed here) to generate a customized photo essay project lesson plan.
High School: Geometric Transformations in Nature
Challenge students to photograph and analyze examples of rotational symmetry, reflections, and translations found in nature.
Brainstorm potential subjects on a collaborative whiteboard before they start taking photos. Examples include:
- Translations – Pinecone scales, fish scales, leaf structures, spider webs.
- Rotational Symmetry – Flowers (daisies, sunflowers), spider webs, tree rings in stumps.
- Reflections – Butterfly wings, leaf structures, water reflections.
Bringing Nature Photography into the Classroom
Nature Photography Day is the perfect chance to blend creativity with curriculum while helping students develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them. Observing nature through a different perspective offers meaningful ways to combine science, math, and digital storytelling—all while building visual literacy and a lasting connection to nature.
How do you and your students celebrate Nature Photography Day? Share your ideas in the comments as we learn together.