Starting at 8am on a recent Monday morning, streams of elementary students poured into Topsfield’s Proctor Elementary School, carrying instruments and heavy backpacks. Soon, band music came drifting down the hallways. Meanwhile, in the school library, Ipswich River Watershed’s Outreach Manager, Rachel Schneider, was hard at work preparing for another kind of stream. This one was actually more a “STEM”: the Greenscapes Coalition’s “Keeping Water Clean” science, technology, engineering and math curriculum had arrived in Topsfield.
A member community of the North Shore Greenscapes Coalition since 2007, Topsfield has partnered with Ipswich River Watershed staff to bring outreach and education
Volunteer Joel helps the students find where they are in the watershed.programs and materials to its citizens. One of the most dynamic — and, frankly, fun — components of Greenscapes is the interactive school program. Designed to match the curriculum standards of the Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Frameworks, the program rotates students through six stations, with hands-on activities that teach how our human-altered environment affects the natural water cycle, what happens to water when it enters a storm drain, how water flows through the local watershed, and how water can be cleaned and conserved.
The Water Hero Card Game facilitates discussions about water issues like drought and pollution.At the end of the session, students can answer question such as:
1. What is a watershed?
2. How does pollution travel under the ground, or across the land?
3. Where does our dirty water go?
4. What happens to groundwater when we are in a drought?
With the support of fantastic parent volunteers and the contagious enthusiasm of the Proctor School Principal, the Topsfield students brought their curiosity to the table and brainstormed solutions to real problems.
Engaging students in action and broadening their view of water moving across the land is a passion of ours. When given an opportunity, it’s amazing how quickly students make the connection between water related issues and their town and homes.
The Enviroscape, a stormwater demonstration model, is always a big hit.
Are you interested in having your students participate in this interactive program? Or
maybe you know a group of adults that could benefit from these discussions? Give us a call to schedule a Greenscapes program in your community by contacting Kristen Grubbs at Ipswich River Watershed Association, 978-412-8200.