Project Description: 

We worked with Plaster Creek Stewards to plant native plants on our school grounds in new and existing bioswales and rain gardens to provide better green infrastructure. We discussed the water cycle and its impact on our place here at GRCMS, students were assessed also on how the “runoff” stage can be positively or negatively impacted by greenscaping. In addition we asked students to identify various plant species around our campus

Students also improved in their ability to explain the benefits of native species, explain positive outcomes of greenscaping within our place-based learning, and their ability to identify several beneficial (native) and detractor (invasive) plant species.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:

We expect that our students will have a better knowledge and understanding of native plants and their place in our watershed and ecosystem.  Through hands-on experience, we hope they have a greater enthusiasm for stewardship, and continue making a difference outside of these experiences.

Partners:

Plaster Creek Stewards

Teachers:

Chad Drenth, 6th Grade, Math & Science; Derek Katerberg, 6th Grade, Math & Science

Students:

96

Funder:

The Wege Foundation

Showcase Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmhWghOa1jM&list=PLV2DqaYFEsPwEUUHkVf4EWeARMMgZa9NL&index=10&ab_channel=GroundswellMichigan

Project Description: 

The sixth grader students at GRCMS planned and installed a learning garden on about a quarter-acre plot of unused green space on our school grounds. Students cleared space to install a pathway making the garden accessible to all, built a storage shed, assembled raised bed gardens, estimated amounts of materials, and sewed the seeds to get plants growing.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:

We have already seen a change in students as they repeatedly volunteered their time during recess to help move compost, install our pathway, and look for other ways that they could help. The hope is that this energy carries over into their homes and neighborhood communities where they can share this newfound passion.

Partners:

Kids’ Food Basket

Teachers:

Chad Drenth, Math & Science, 6th Grade; Derek Katerberg, Math & Science, 6th Grade

Students:

110

Funder:

The Baldwin Foundation, EANS Funds

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