Project Description: Students were introduced to the watershed and learned about the
factors that impact the health of the watershed, including
macroinvertebrates, water chemistry and native and invasive species.
Through this exploration, students were empowered to take on a project
that would impact the watershed near the Museum. Students looked at
the Stormwater Management Plan and decided that they would like to
help spread the word about pet waste in the system. Students also
stenciled drains and handed out fliers about the damage that is caused
to basins.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Through this project, students were able to see the needs right
outside the doors of their school, which also made them more aware of
issues in other places. Tackling a local issue built the confidence
needed to take on other issues and establish a culture of stewardship
in their school.
Partners: MDEQ, LGROW, GR Public Museum
Teachers: 3
Students: 60
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
Project Description: Students investigated nonpoint source pollution in their
watershed and the dynamics of the Grand Rapids river ecosystem through
participation in water quality testing and a field trip aboard the
GVSU W.G. Jackson Research Vessel. Students also examined the effects
of nonpoint source pollution on macroinvertebrates and visited several
sites in Grand Rapids to further their exploration of the Grand River Watershed.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students are much more aware of the threats to the watershed and
remediation strategies. Their attitude about their surroundings has
changed, and their heightened awareness of these issues has called
them to actions in small ways like picking up trash along our walks to
and from the library, discussing pesticide use with Museum guests, and
the importance of picking up pet waste.
Partners: Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Urban Roots
Teachers: 3
Students: 120
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
Project Description: Students explored watersheds, including macroinvertebrate
studies, water quality, and point and nonpoint source pollution in
their sixth-grade programming. In seventh grade, students designed
plant plots to help to remedy storm water runoff and encourage the
growth of native plants. These students also planted an urban garden
on the Museum campus that will be used for education classes over the
summer as part of the Museum’s programming. This work extended to
eighth grade when students took on a project of their choice working
with a local organization working to implement the Grand Rapids
Watershed Management Plan. These eighth-grade projects were driven by
student voice and choice.
Students also made a mini, LEED-inspired playhouse to educate the
public on LEED and green construction. The house was constructed with
a pallet board, a solar panel, a green roof, and a rain barrel.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: The largest change observed in our students is their level of
engagement. Allowing students to have some ownership in the types of
projects that they take on has been inspiring. The eighth graders have
a background knowledge from previous years that they can tap into to
pursue projects they are passionate about. One group of students
wanted to build a LEED certified playhouse, another wanted to explore
a way to reuse the banana peels from the school cafeteria. If we
continue to allow students to try on the role of project managers they
will design projects around topics they find interesting.
Partners: WMEAC, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Urban Roots, Pitsch,
Shore-Mate, West Michigan Solar, Home Depot, Eikenhout
Project Description: The GRPMS 6th grade students have a two-part project that takes
place in both the spring and the fall. The fall project involved the
entire group of 6th grade students. They were tasked with collecting
chemical and biological (macro) data from four different subwatersheds
to the Grand River. They then had to analyze the information they
found to determine the overall water quality of the Grand River
subwatersheds. The second project took place in the spring, where a
smaller group of students placed Hester-Dendy samplers in three
different key locations in the Grand River. They then collected
long-term data on macroinvertebrate populations as the Grand River
Revitalization project begins. The data were added to the LGROW data
repository. The small group of students then represented their project
at the LGROW Spring Forum student symposium. Beyond collecting the
data, students took a trip to the wastewater treatment plant to talk
to city officials about what we can do and what is being done to help
protect the health of our rivers and streams.
This project is an extension of the project that the students
completed last year through Groundswell. Last year, students only
completed the fall portion of the project, and the data they collected
were never put in a data repository. This year the focus was on
collecting long-term data about macroinvertebrate populations as the
Grand River Revitalization project changes the ecology of the river
through downtown.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: The project will encourage stewardship because it allows students
to participate in and learn about how we directly impact life and
health of our rivers, streams, and lakes. Students will use the
collected data again during their time in high school and hopefully
use these experiences as connection points for their future
involvement in environmental actions.
Partners: West Michigan Environmental Action Council; Lower Grand River
Organization of Watersheds; Grand Rapids Environmental Services
Department; Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
