Congress Elementary
Project Description:
In partnership with Urban Roots, students in second through fourth grade revitalized their vegetable garden, providing food and education for the neighborhood. Across from the garden stands an area in need of a rain garden. Second grade students studied a range of scientific topics including the rain cycle, landforms, and review of plant life-cycles. The curriculum and community connections made an ideal location for a Groundswell project.
The students began the year with a study of landforms in partnership with Groundswell’s project-based experiments and teacher leaders. The students voted on a name and design for their rain garden. In the winter months, second graders studied the water cycle and its relationship to the local watershed and landforms. In the spring, Groundswell partners assisted students in the production of the rain garden. The project culminated in a celebration involving students, families, and community helpers.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Building a rain garden has taught students that they can have an impact on and improve their environment.
Partners:
PTCC, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Revery Studio, WMEAC
Teachers:
1
Students:
28
Funder:
GVSU College of Education
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bey36J6x0RQ
Project Description:
At Congress, we all work together to make our school a better place. This includes many community members and business owners. In partnership with Urban Roots, our students in second through fourth grade had the opportunity to revitalize our vegetable garden, providing food and education for the neighborhood. Across from our garden was an area in need of a rain garden. The students in Mrs. DeMaar’s second grade class studied a range of scientific topics, including rain cycle, landforms, and review of plant lifecycles. Our curriculum and community connections made an ideal location for a Groundswell project.
We began the year with a study of landforms in partnership with Groundswell’s project-based experiments and teacher leaders. In the winter months second graders studied the water cycle and its relationship to our watershed and landforms. Come spring, Groundswell partners assisted students in the production of our rain garden. The project culminated in a celebration involving students, families, and community helpers!
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
The students were introduced to some amazing creatures that live in a nearby stream and will begin to connect clean streams to clean lakes. Building a rain garden taught students they can have an impact and improve their environment.
Partners:
PTCC, Revery
Teachers:
2
Students:
55
Funder:
MiSTEM
Project Description:
Congress 3rd graders studied watersheds, the water cycle, and rain gardens. 3rd graders learned about the rain garden that we have at Congress. Students were able to create reasons that we need to preserve and protect our rain garden. Each 3rd grader wrote a persuasive letter to a community member providing reasons why we need a rain garden at Congress, and why they should consider planting one in their yard, too. Students also virtually designed our rain garden with native Michigan plants that would survive in our conditions.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students will experience a sense of pride every time that they walk near our rain garden. Students will understand that water is necessary to a sustainable life for most living things, and that keeping it free of pollution is incredibly important. This project will hopefully be the start of these students learning to foster a love of protecting the environment.
Partners: Brewery Vivant
Teachers: Alison Howard, 3rd Grade all subjects
Students: 17
Funder: Brewery Vivant, the Baldwin Foundation
Showcase Video: