Storm Water Management:
The 6th grade service-learning project, on storm water management where students study the big question: How can humans impact the effects of storm water on their watershed? Student learn about: watersheds and permeable/impermeable surfaces. Students participate in webinars, which will be on demand and pre-recorded, covering the following topics; our watershed, what is storm water?, solutions—engineering, solutions—rain gardens. Math connections; Calculating storm water runoff, Permeable vs. non-permeable surfaces ( quadrants around school). Culminating activities: field trips to Howard County Conservancy, Belmont 2015, Mt. Pleasant 2016, and Belmont 2017.
Content Connections:
- Math: calculating storm water runoff
- Social Studies: maps of Howard County topography, permeable, and impermeable surfaces
- Science: learning about erosion and rain garden design
- English: writing to inform about the health of the bay
- Art / Design: creating flyers and posters about storm water management
Research Projects:
Students: Choose one (1) major issue facing the Chesapeake Bay to research and investigate. Based on their research, they advocate solutions that can be easily implemented in their community to help preserve and protect the Bay.
4 Project Choices:
1. THE CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED
Major Question: How can community members help to decrease pollution in the watershed?
INFORM: Questions to Consider
2. THE STORM WATER CHALLENGE
Major Question: How can community members (farmers, home owners, area businesses) decrease erosion and slow water drainage?
INFORM: Questions to Consider
3. ENGINEERING & LOCAL STORM WATER ISSUES
Major Question: What improvements can be made to your current school, home, or neighborhood to improve drainage for local storm water issues?
INFORM: Questions to Consider
4. RAIN GARDENS & RAIN BARRELS
Major Question: How can we encourage local residents to use rain gardens OR rain barrels? (Research both topics but RECOMMEND ONLY EITHER RAIN BARRELS OR RAIN GARDENS)
INFORM: Questions to Consider:
Sample student Projects
Click HERE to see one!
Click HERE to see one!
4 Project Choices:
1. THE CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED
Major Question: How can community members help to decrease pollution in the watershed?
INFORM: Questions to Consider
- What are the major sources of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay?
- What are the negative effects of pollution on the Chesapeake Bay watershed?
- What is the size of the Chesapeake Bay, and how does this relate to the amount of pollution entering the estuary?
- Are there currently any government programs to encourage awareness of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay?
- What are 3-4 specific solutions/suggestions to decreasing pollution in the Chesapeake Bay?
- What are the benefits of your recommendations?
- What are some potential issues/ associated with your recommendations?
- What are the estimated cost of your recommendations?
2. THE STORM WATER CHALLENGE
Major Question: How can community members (farmers, home owners, area businesses) decrease erosion and slow water drainage?
INFORM: Questions to Consider
- What are the major sources of erosion in the Chesapeake Bay?
- Are there negative effects of impervious surfaces on the Bay?
- Compared to the past, how has the amount of impervious surfaces changed? Increase or decrease?
- What is the size of the Chesapeake Bay, and how does this relate to the amount of impervious surfaces affecting the Bay?
- Are there currently any government programs to encourage awareness of erosion and impervious surfaces in the Chesapeake Bay?
- What are 3 - 4 specific solutions/suggestions to decreasing erosion and slowing water drainage in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?
- What are the benefits of your recommendations?
- What are some potential issues associated with your recommendations?
- What are the estimated costs of your recommendations?
3. ENGINEERING & LOCAL STORM WATER ISSUES
Major Question: What improvements can be made to your current school, home, or neighborhood to improve drainage for local storm water issues?
INFORM: Questions to Consider
- What are the major issues with drainage and pollution in your local watershed? with the Chesapeake Bay?
- Are there any areas in your neighborhood where there is standing water after a storm?
- Are there currently any government programs to encourage solutions to local storm water issues that your community can participate in?
- What are 3 - 4 specific solutions/suggestions that can be implemented in your community?
- What are the benefits of your recommendations?
- What are the potential issues associated with your recommendations?
- What are the estimated costs of your recommendations?
4. RAIN GARDENS & RAIN BARRELS
Major Question: How can we encourage local residents to use rain gardens OR rain barrels? (Research both topics but RECOMMEND ONLY EITHER RAIN BARRELS OR RAIN GARDENS)
INFORM: Questions to Consider:
- How much water could be saved by using a rain barrel?
- What are the benefits to water quality by using a rain garden?
- Are there currently any government programs or incentives for rain gardens or rain barrels?
- What things should be considered in determining the best location for a rain garden or barrel?
- If designing a garden, what are the best native species that should be included?
- Create a simple design or plan for a rain garden - Include location, size, native plant species, how it will be built, etc. (Show your design) OR Create a plan for the use of rain barrels - Include size of barrels, locations to be placed, number to be used, etc.
- What are the benefits of your recommendations?
- What are the potential issues with your recommendations?
- What is the estimated costs of your recommendations?
Sample student Projects
Click HERE to see one!
Click HERE to see one!
Outdoor Education:
Each year in 6th grade, students participate in a 3 day / 2 night outdoor environmental education field trip at North Bay in Northeast, MD. North Bay is a state of the art education and retreat center located on the shores of the upper Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland State Department of Education approved North Bay curriculum was specifically designed for sixth grade students from a variety of demographics. The goal of the program is to provide a high energy, academically rigorous and engaging science curriculum that inspires students to take responsibility for their surroundings and decisions. North Bay in turn connects student-driven environmental studies with the most trying social challenges facing adolescents today, teaching them that education and personal growth are the keys to success.
Students identify and explore environmental issues in their school community through outdoor investigations. This program is interdisciplinary in nature and integrates common core, next generation science standards and character development. We use this opportunity to demonstrate that the choices we make affect our futures, our communities and the environment. The NEXT (North Bay Extended) program leads to action projects to engage students in meaningful service learning making them champions of their environment.
Students identify and explore environmental issues in their school community through outdoor investigations. This program is interdisciplinary in nature and integrates common core, next generation science standards and character development. We use this opportunity to demonstrate that the choices we make affect our futures, our communities and the environment. The NEXT (North Bay Extended) program leads to action projects to engage students in meaningful service learning making them champions of their environment.