Project Description:
The driving question for this project was, “How does human activity impact water sustainability?” Students in an English Language Arts class generated their own questions from this driving question and then completed a research paper. Students in Science studied the water cycle and the Kentwood Water Quality report, and then field-tested water quality in school, at home, and from the creek outside. In math, students graphed their findings. Social Studies teachers built knowledge of water sustainability through a reading of A Long Walk to Water. Finally, groups worked together to create two deliverables: a tri-fold board displaying their research question and findings as well as a Public Service Announcement. This announcement was shared with the student body during morning “Channel One” time. The project culminated the project with a fieldtrip to the Grand Rapids Museum, where students interacted with an exhibit that follows the path of a water droplet.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students now see how the interconnectedness of water and human systems.

Partners:
City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming

Teachers:
4

Students:
170

Funder:
GVSU College of Education

Project Description:
We expanded the social justice and environmental sustainability focus of the Groundswell Light project, “Water Is Life”, we completed in 2017-2018. We have a long-range, 5-year plan for a project-based learning experience for our 185 students in which they will design and build an Outdoor Learning Lab (outdoor classroom). The project will draw on skills learned in ELA, Science, Social Studies, Math, EL (English Learning), and Technology.

This year we began by creating winter-sown greenhouses for native seeds we harvested. We will track the cold-germination in soil from our property near Buck Creek, potting soil, and sand. We will track the data of both native and purchased seeds. Students planted seeds that survived in a native pollinator garden on a plot.

Next, we had students build a water robot. We took students to Buck Creek to test the water in the creek near the school. Students tracked the data from the robot’s water samples. Data will be used to determine which native plants to place next year.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:
Students studied the local watershed around Buck Creek which runs through Valleywood’s school property. Through cultivation and planting of native pollinators, students learned about the importance of native species in preserving and protecting local water sources. We hope to expand this study to include a field trip to the Grand River and Lake Michigan in years to come.

Partners:
Friends of Buck Creek, City of Kentwood, St. Mary Magdalen

Teachers:
6

Students:
185

Funder:
Baldwin Foundation

Showcase Video:
https://youtu.be/NE9PCnK5Wo8