TRIO Upward Bound
Project Description:
The theme of the project is “How native plants can help with runoff in an urban environment.” Students focused on how watersheds in Grand Rapids directly affect the students. TRIO Upward Bound students at Central and Union High Schools continued maintaining a native plant garden at Cook Arts Center by weeding the garden at the start of spring. Students have consistently assessed the garden to see what plants have came back after the winter and fall months and have added new native plants during this school year. Students have studied the local watershed and runoff and have developed a better understanding of how native plants reduce runoff. Water samples have been compared at urban and rural sites.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students better understand the role watersheds play in their lives and what actions they can undertake to reduce runoff.
Partners:
WMEAC, Cook Arts Center
Teachers:
2
Students:
65
Funder:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxlA5rCLylA
Project Description:
The students created and developed watershed educational materials that included bookmarks, handouts, and postcards written for third graders to provide quick information about stormwater and watersheds. These materials were created in both English and Spanish. The students presented to third-graders at Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School. They educated the students on what a watershed is and where their local watershed could be found.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
This project engaged students in civic and community activities that have the potential to create lifelong advocates for the Great Lakes. Students can now educate others on watersheds, rather than simply providing volunteer hours.
Partners:
City of Grand Rapids, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School
Teachers:
2
Students:
6
Funder:
Baldwin Foundation
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0hgyTxiAu4
Project Description:
GVSU TRIO Upward Bound students attending Innovation Central High School partnered with LGROW to donate and install a dog waste station at Baldwin St. Park in Grand Rapids, MI. Students walked the neighborhood to notify, teach, and distribute pledge cards with leashes and dog waste bags to neighborhood residents who own dogs. During these door-to-door interactions, students also shared the impact dog waste has on stormwater and encouraged dog-owning residents to use the dog waste station.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students are more conscious of pet waste in their community and how to actively inform and encourage those around them to use proper disposal.
Partners:
LGROW
Teachers:
2
Students:
7
Funder:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Showcase Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKMejAcZQ6c