Crestwood Middle School
Project Description:
Students began the project with a walk around the campus to find an appropriate area for planting a buffer garden. During a day of heavy rain, they went outside to see the run-off first hand. Students realized there were two main areas in need of a buffer garden. The classes then completed soil filtration tests on both areas, and decided an area in the front parking lot would be most suitable for a native plant garden. In May, students removed sod and clay, then spread soil in the area. They created a grid for planting using steaks and string. In June, students and volunteers from Plaster Creek Stewards planted the Michigan native plants.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students now appreciate the role native vegetation plays in reducing nonpoint source pollution.
Partners:
Calvin College - Plaster Creek Stewards
Teachers:
2
Students:
82
Funder:
Baldwin Foundation
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr49RjekghM
Project Description:
Students led the improvement of a native plant buffer garden by tapping into community experts, using technology, and applying communication skills to a real-world problem. To accomplish this, students were divided into teams. Each team was in charge of researching and developing a solution to a separate part of the project. For example, one team was in charge of designing and purchasing the information signs for the garden. Another team researched cost-effective erosion prevention, while a third team worked on a presentation to elementary students. All students met with members of the Plaster Creek Stewards to learn about reducing water pollutants entering our local waterways. Students applied the information and research from Plaster Creek Stewards to complete the maintenance and improvement of the garden.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
This project provided students with a feeling of empowerment and responsibility for their own learning. This learning experience should lead to a lifelong interest in the environment and bring a greater awareness of the world around them.
Partners:
Plaster Creek Stewards
Teachers:
2
Students:
91
Funder:
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhvtXQAViZU
Project Description:
Crestwood PEAKS students worked on maintaining and improving the buffer garden built the previous year on campus. In the spring, students weeded and replenished soil and mulch. Due to substantial erosion, students developed a plan to strategically place large rocks to reroute the flow of water from the parking lot and reduce erosion. Students also situated landscape edging around the garden to further protect it from erosion and prevent people from walking through. Crestwood also is partnered with Steelcase to implement buffer gardens throughout their campus. Eighth-grade students presented information to elementary school groups about the importance of keeping pollutants out of storm drains.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
This project provided students with a feeling of empowerment and responsibility of their own learning. Students walked away realizing that solving a problem outdoors in their own community is possible. This learning experience should lead to a lifelong interest in the environment and bring a greater awareness of the world around us.
Partners:
Landscape Impressions Design and Garden Center INC.; Rebecca Marquardt, Landscape Architect; Steelcase
Teachers:
2
Students:
58
Funder:
Baldwin Foundation
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyvsQDmqi-E
Project Description:
Crestwood Middle School students partnered with Steelcase again this spring to plant another portion of their bioswale. Students harvested seeds from the rain garden on Crestwood’s campus and stratified the seeds over the winter months by making seed bombs. Students also started growing their own native plants in the classroom.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students now have a deeper knowledge of problems outside the four walls of a classroom. This year-long learning experience guided students into a lifelong interest in their environment, continued commitment in educating the community about storm drain pollutants, and greater awareness the world around them.
Partners:
Landscape Impressions Design and Garden Center Inc., Landscape Architect Rebecca Marquardt, Steelcase
Teachers:
4
Students:
101
Funder:
GVSU College of Education
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7BdcjKQXBk
Project Description:
Crestwood Middle School students partnered with Steelcase again this spring to plant another portion of their bioswale. Students harvested seeds from the rain garden on Crestwood’s campus and stratified the seeds over the winter months by making seed bombs. Students also started growing our own native plants in the classroom. All of our seed bombs and plant plugs were used at Steelcase, as well as for replenishing our own rain garden.
Sixth grade students will concentrate on improving Crestwood’s bioswale. We have seen a significant loss in plants during the last two years. Students retrieved soil samples and created tests to solve the problem. We planted according to the findings.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
This project provided students with a feeling of empowerment and responsibility of their own learning. Students walked away with the realization that solving a problem outdoors in their own community is possible. This learning experience will lead to a lifelong interest in the environment and bring a greater awareness of the world around us.
Partners:
Steelcase, Revery, Landscape Impressions Design and Garden Center Inc.
Teachers:
4
Students:
141
Funder:
MiSTEM
Showcase Video:
https://youtu.be/OCM10nnVlYI