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