Project Description:

This year, Innocademy saw two projects in different areas of campus. 

Mr. Essenburg's students studied the pollution levels of the Macatawa Watershed by collecting macroinvertebrates.  By counting the number of individuals of different types of macroinvertebrates, students ranked the water quality of lakes and rivers.  This helps the students identify sources of pollution and propose possible solutions.

Mr Zuber's class focused on a campus garden. In this project students across several grades reimagined our overrun garden boxes that were originally meant for a vegetable garden as new opportunities to promote pollinators.  Also we would work with our partner organizations to design and create 5 themed beds for further research into larva hosts.

Partners:

Greenway Manager/Project Clarity, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, MiSTEM Network's Greater West Michigan Region

Native Edge, Designs by Nature, Hidden Savannah

Teachers:

Alvin Essenburg, 6th Grade Science; Jenna Crook, 6th Grade English; Chad Zuber, 3rd Grade General Education; Cyndi Nykamp, 2nd Grade General Education; Karly Van Koevering, 1st Grade General Education

Students:

92

Funder:

Bladwin Foundation, the Wege Foundation

Showcase Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mrNGyjU48k&list=PLV2DqaYFEsPw2JB18lRhsDlGdXGILwakG&index=31

Project Description: 

We are creating space for Nature Rich Learning at Innocademy through field experiences, and intentional improvements to our Outdoor Learning Environment.  In accordance with our academic goals and our property master plan, created by Native Edge LLC, we set out to plant native species that will grow on our property.  Following lessons on nature journaling, students in 1st through 3rd grade researched and journalled about the trees and shrubs living on our property.  We discovered that while there are many small trees, they lack diversity and many were not native to this area.  With the help of Groundswell, we were able to plant over 100 trees of more than 15 different varieties that do fit the natural habitat and native history of our area.  We also researched the plants that we added and created signs in English and in Spanish to inform others who use our grounds for school and recreation.

Fostering Lifelong Stewardship:

Students have grown in knowledge of what makes a tree useful in the ecosystem, and in practical experience of best practices when planting trees.  Many now take ownership of these trees they planted, and are proud of their efforts to make the ecosystem more sustainable.

Partners:

Innocademy allegan Campus and the Allegan Conservation District, Native Edge LLC, Lake Superior State University,Outdoor Discovery Center

Teachers:

Chad Zuber, 3rd Grade, General Education; Rachel Palmer, 1st Grade, General Education; Rachel Potter, 2nd Grade, General Education Spanish Immersion; Cyndi Nykamp, 2nd Grade, General Education

Students:

79

Funder:

MiSTEM

Showcase Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkOXnBe2d-0&list=PLV2DqaYFEsPwEUUHkVf4EWeARMMgZa9NL&index=15&ab_channel=GroundswellMichigan