Project Description: In partnership with Urban Roots, students in second through
fourth grade revitalized their vegetable garden, providing food and
education for the neighborhood. Across from the garden stands an area
in need of a rain garden. Second grade students studied a range of
scientific topics including the rain cycle, landforms, and review of
plant life-cycles. The curriculum and community connections made an
ideal location for a Groundswell project.
The students began the year with a study of landforms in partnership
with Groundswell’s project-based experiments and teacher leaders. The
students voted on a name and design for their rain garden. In the
winter months, second graders studied the water cycle and its
relationship to the local watershed and landforms. In the spring,
Groundswell partners assisted students in the production of the rain
garden. The project culminated in a celebration involving students,
families, and community helpers.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Building a rain garden has taught students that they can have an
impact on and improve their environment.
Partners: PTCC, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Revery Studio, WMEAC
Project Description: At Congress, we all work together to make our school a better
place. This includes many community members and business owners. In
partnership with Urban Roots, our students in second through fourth
grade had the opportunity to revitalize our vegetable garden,
providing food and education for the neighborhood. Across from our
garden was an area in need of a rain garden. The students in Mrs.
DeMaar’s second grade class studied a range of scientific topics,
including rain cycle, landforms, and review of plant lifecycles. Our
curriculum and community connections made an ideal location for a
Groundswell project.
We began the year with a study of landforms in partnership with
Groundswell’s project-based experiments and teacher leaders. In the
winter months second graders studied the water cycle and its
relationship to our watershed and landforms. Come spring, Groundswell
partners assisted students in the production of our rain garden. The
project culminated in a celebration involving students, families, and
community helpers!
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: The students were introduced to some amazing creatures that live
in a nearby stream and will begin to connect clean streams to clean
lakes. Building a rain garden taught students they can have an impact
and improve their environment.
Partners: PTCC, Revery
Teachers: 2
Students: 55
Funder: MiSTEM
Project Description: Congress 3rd graders studied watersheds, the water cycle, and
rain gardens. 3rd graders learned about the rain garden that we have
at Congress. Students were able to create reasons that we need to
preserve and protect our rain garden. Each 3rd grader wrote a
persuasive letter to a community member providing reasons why we need
a rain garden at Congress, and why they should consider planting one
in their yard, too. Students also virtually designed our rain garden
with native Michigan plants that would survive in our conditions.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students will experience a sense of pride every time that they
walk near our rain garden. Students will understand that water is
necessary to a sustainable life for most living things, and that
keeping it free of pollution is incredibly important. This project
will hopefully be the start of these students learning to foster a
love of protecting the environment.
