Events
Groundswell Student Project Showcase
Date and Time
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Location
Richard M. Devos Center, 401 Fulton St W., Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Description
Groundswell is thrilled to host its annual Student Project Showcase again at GVSU City Campus! This special event honors local PK-12 students and their teachers by celebrating the meaningful community stewardship projects that schools have completed throughout the year. Groundswell has supported twenty-four schools and over 4,000 students this academic year to learn about local environmental issues. Throughout the fall, winter, and spring, PK-12 students have worked on projects to address these issues to make real change, connecting their learning to the health and well-being to their local communities.
Join educators, students, families, and community members on May 13th from 5:00-6:30PM at the Richard M. DeVos Center in Grand Rapids for this free, public event. Students will host exhibit tables to share about their work, demonstrating what they’ve learned and discovered through artifacts, posters, interactive presentations, and other creative activities they design. Students as young as kindergarten will share about their restorative dune-grass plantings, elementary school scholars will show videos of their salmon-raising and release, and high schoolers will discuss their contributions to local citizen science and watershed clean-ups. Other featured topics include native plantings on school campuses, community garden installations, composting initiatives, and other place-based efforts across Kent and Ottawa counties.
Local businesses and community organizations will also be present and hosting tables to discuss their support of these projects and their own efforts to steward our local communities. At the Groundswell Student Project Showcase, an attendee can expect interactive exhibits, games, pizza, photo ops, and fun! This event is welcoming and accessible for all ages. Whether you’re faculty, staff, a local teacher, or a community resident, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how young people are contributing to local solutions and inspired to pitch in where you can.
Join us for an uplifting evening with remarks from Provost Drake, awards for our champion teachers, Louie the Laker, and a special PBS guest! Come ready to ask questions, make connections, and learn how small, local actions can lead to meaningful change.
Information
For more information, please visit: https://www.gvsu.edu/groundswell/student-project-showcase-143.htm
Contact
Mara Spears
Project Specialist, Center for Educational Partnerships, GVSU
Groundswell Stewardship Initiative
Pronouns: she/her/hers | [email protected] | 616-331-6706