Project Description:
Collins students explored the relationship between native (and nonnative) pollinators and native plant species and invasive nonnative plants. Components of this project included:

1. Raising, tagging, and releasing Monarch caterpillars/butterflies.
2. Collecting milkweed seeds to plant in a school garden and distribute to neighbors and community members with planting instructions.
3. Discovering the role native and non-native bees play in nature and agriculture.
4. Creating and maintaining a monthly nature observation journal, including weather and sunrise/sunset data, plant and animal life, and observations using the five senses.
5. Learning survey techniques and conducting random samplings of plants on campus to classify what is on school property and at another nearby location.
6. Clearing an overgrown garden plot and preparing it for planting with butterfly- and bee-friendly native plants.
7. Identifying and removing invasive species from our school campus and neighborhood.
8. Creating door hangers identifying local invasive species to distribute to neighbors and the community.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students will continue to be on the look-out for garlic mustard and dame’s rocket and pull it as well as making friends, families and neighbors aware of its invasiveness. Kids will plant and protect the habitats that have milkweed and lupine for our pollinators.

Partners:
Kent County Parks, Kent Conservation District, Montcalm Conservation District, Trail Stewardship at Luton Park, MSU Master Gardners, John Bagley (independent ecology and conservation specialist), Don Rewa (bee and pollinator educator), Mark Newman (independent author)

Teachers:
1

Students:
54

Funder:
Baldwin Foundation

Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtVfohhihYA

Project Description:
The Collins Native Plant and Pollinator garden project has transformed an overgrown eyesore area into a native plant and butterfly sanctuary. Our students worked hard to remove the thick burdock and other nonnative plants growing wild, only to discover a massive black locust stump and soon after, a quick return of the weeds. After a professional treatment of herbicide, rototilling by our principal, and stump removal financed by our PTO, the garden was ready to plant. The sole native plant in the 14’x14’ space was a common milkweed.

This September, our Groundswell students researched and presented information about each of the native plants we acquired to plant in our new garden. The students used the plant heights to help plan where to place the seedlings and on planting day each student planted a seedling and marked it with a label. In addition to the plants, each class raised Monarch butterflies from egg to adult. We tagged most of the butterflies with Monarch Watch stickers, recorded the gender, and released them in or near the new garden. We also registered the garden as a Monarch Waystation. In our schoolyard we explored plant diversity and learned about invasive species. With this knowledge, we identified and pulled invasives on our campus and at Luton Park.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students not only learned about plant species and the difference between native and invasive plants but also how to plan a garden and grow plants. Students learned about relationship between plants, pollinators, and the food they eat. Through this project, students gained understanding and connection to the natural areas surrounding our Great Lakes. It is our hope that this experience will encourage lifelong environmental stewardship in the lives of our students and that they realize every student can make a difference.

Partners:
Forest Hills Eastern Middle School, Greenheart Ecology, Kent Conservation District, Collins PTO

Teachers:
2

Students:
48

Funder:
Baldwin Foundation

Showcase Video:
https://youtu.be/antLJLVqtN8

Project Description:
Students learned about the concept of watersheds in general and specifically about the watershed in which we live. The students experienced the life cycles of two animals in our watershed, the monarch butterfly (native) and the salmon (introduced), and discovered the microlife in our stream and river water. Nature Adventurer kits were made available for virtual students to borrow and use at home. In-person students used similar supplies at school.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:

Students progressed toward becoming lifelong stewards of the Great Lakes by:

• Learning how to reduce, refuse, recycle and compost everyday trash.
• Seeing how waste and pollution travels through our watershed and affects habitats.
• Observing the life cycles and habitat needs of local fish and butterflies.

Partners:

Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Kent County Department of Public Works, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Teachers:

Karin Cramer, 4th grade all subjects; Chris Soda, 4th grade all subjects; Shannon Curcuru, 4th grade all subjects

Students:
102

Funder:
GVSU College of Education, the Baldwin Foundation

Showcase Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOwQ5N3JbkA&ab_channel=GroundswellMichigan

Project Description: 

Our goal this year was to help our students spend more time outdoors during the school day. At the beginning of the year, we purchased monarch caterpillars to observe and release in our native wildflower garden/Monarch Waystation, which was our school Groundswell project in 2017-2019. The students loved releasing the butterflies and observing the garden. From this point on, my class began asking to go outside to read or write. We found engagement to be challenging, however, due to a lack of seating. So, we brainstormed designs for outdoor seating spaces on our campus. The other two fourth grade classes were polled and all the ideas were compiled. Options based on the student ideas were presented, along with a budget and discussion of practical matters, such as water-resistance and ease of storage. After voting, the two final seating options were ordered and tested, and the final order placed. When the seating arrived, we tried them out immediately with our books and observation journals. Excitement was high and engagement was improved. With the last of our funds, we purchased binoculars and fish nets to add to the Nature Adventure Bags from last year’s Groundswell project.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:

This project benefited the students and their families by involving and interesting kids in engaging pursuits outdoors and away from screen-based entertainment. More time spent outdoors, combined with more student knowledge about their natural surroundings, will result in better stewards of the environment and our Great Lakes watershed.

Partners:

Kent County Department of Public Works, Collins Elementary PTO, Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Salmon in the Classroom

Teachers:

Karin Cramer, 4th Grade, All Subjects; Chris Soda, 4th Grade, All Subjects; Shannon Curcuru, 4th Grade, All Subjects

Students:

77

Funder:

MiSTEM

Showcase Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HPKq5zvJO8&list=PLV2DqaYFEsPwEUUHkVf4EWeARMMgZa9NL&index=7&ab_channel=GroundswellMichigan

Project Description: 

This project proposes to continue developing the environmental literacy and attitude of conservation and stewardship in our fourth grade students. It addresses teacher observations of students and their interactions with and/or attitudes toward the environment. Over the last few years, I have noticed many students are oblivious about the waste we produce, its impact, and how we can reduce it. Last year I was shocked to learn that some kids thought storm drains were part of a mysterious trash/sewage system. Some thought it was appropriate to throw trash into the playground storm drains. Many kids spend so much time indoors on screens, they seem to go outside just for organized sports and school recess. Finally, many students are uncomfortable around most insects, especially bees, and usually want to destroy them indiscriminately. 

Our Groundswell-supported projects have shown positive results to help amend some of these observed behaviors. Our salmon in the classroom project, monarch butterfly raising, native flower garden, and outdoor learning have promoted engagement, discovery, and ownership in the outdoors. Students talk about our learning at home and bring back to school stories of monarch sightings, invasive plant removal, native plants, and being outside. Many have unexpectedly found nature hikes and gardening to be enjoyable. Our newly-added Zoo Lab week brings our local conservation knowledge and awareness to a higher, more global level. Overall, students show improved empathy, interest, and caring in the world around us as a result of our projects.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:

The experiences provided by our Groundswell support - native flower garden, monarch and salmon raising, Zoo Lab, landfill/recycling center, and storm drain cleaning - help form students’ attitudes and awareness toward habitats, conservation, and even personal habits. They help increase their environmental literacy and forge a personal connection for kids with  the environment around us.

Partners:

Joyful Wildcrafting, Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, John Ball Zoo Lab, Kent County Department of Public Works, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Teachers:

Karin Cramer, All Subjects, 4th Grade; Chris Soda, All Subjects, 4th Grade; Shannon Curcuru, All Subjects, 4th Grade

Students:

82

Funder:

Great Lakes Fisheries Trust through Trout Unlimited, Collins PTO

Showcase Video: https://youtu.be/ZhCVO2oDM9c