Project Description: Kent Innovation introduced the concept of watersheds,then
students choose how to mitigate the negative influences on our
watershed. Students developed a 5k run for the Lower Grand River
Organization of Watersheds to raise awareness, created a natural
outdoor learning space, and evaluated stormwater runoff on the
Intermediate School District’s campus. They learned how to organize
their work and contact community partners to enhance their products.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students have a greater connection to the environment and to
their community.
Partners: LGROW, MDEQ
Teachers: 4
Students: 120
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
Project Description: The focus of this project was to have students understand how
effective management practices allow for a healthy water system.
Students began by learning about watersheds and assessed how Kent
ISD's campus is effectively employing best practices as it relates to
stormwater management. Students looked at sewer-sheds and areas where
water is retained/detained by evaluating the topography. Furthermore,
students experimented with how impervious surfaces contribute to
thermal pollution and its impact on Lamberton Creek. “Heat Islands”
were also a focus of student learning. Students created presentations
of Green Infrastructure to summarize their learning. Students also
visited several downtown locations to see real examples of how
development impacts our watershed, with a focus on impacts from
stormwater runoff. Learning about incorporating green spaces and
renewable energy in urban areas were the focus of the field trip.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Since the project ended, students get excited whenever they see
green infrastructure in their community, and excitedly report back to
their teachers about it. One student even created a simple app on his
own time that informs people about the effects of stormwater runoff
from impervious surfaces on local watersheds.
Partners: LGROW, City of Grand Rapids
Teachers: 2
Students: 70
Funder: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
Project Description: Students worked with the Lower Grand River Organization of
Watersheds to survey the macroinvertebrate populations in the Grand
River at the site of the Whitewater Restoration and in a tributary to
the Grand River on the school’s campus.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students have stated that they were unaware of the diversity of
life in rivers prior to this activity. Many stated that they have
changed behaviors (littering, dumping) due to this. The hope is that
they will continue to consider how they can play a part in management
decisions in their local areas.
Partners: LGROW, MDEQ, WMEACQ
Teachers: 1
Students: 84
Funder: Wege Foundation through the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Project Description: Students studied the differences in the aquatic macroinvertebrate
populations in the Grand River and one of it small tributaries. We
were improving on a project from last year by incorporating more
curriculum around the Grand River and expanding our data collection.
Fostering Lifelong Stewardship: Students are more aware of the diversity of life in water bodies
and the value of strong ecological communities. They know how their
actions can impact the water. They consider how we have engineered
environments and consider the gains and losses associated with these
man-made changes.
Partners: Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds
