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Grade Level: 6-8
Academic Areas: Language Arts, Science
Duration of service: Semester-long
Service Areas: Environmental
Service Learning Project:
Project STREAM began the year in four different school districts
by introducing the concept of the local watershed. This activity
was lead by one of our partners, the Canandaigua Watershed Council.
Students participated in an activity that allowed them to see
how the watershed works and the impact of sediments and pollutants
to our local lake. This activity tied directly to Science Standards
4 and 5; specifically the topics of erosion and the watershed.
Additional activities throughout the year that built on the identified
character virtues of respect and responsibility for the natural
environment included: recycling and composting, mammals and their
habitats, endangered species awareness, birds of prey, aquatic
life and local tree and plant species. Included in each topic
was awareness of how pollutants affect each area as well as ways
students have an impact on improving the situation. For example,
during the birds of prey activity students were made aware of
the impact pollutants have on the birds' habitat, feeding opportunities,
mating and ultimate survival. We also discussed ways the students
could impact or change the progression of environment and/or habitat
destruction. Students were provided with journals and were encouraged
to write not only about what they learned but their thoughts and
feelings related to the topic.
Midway through the program (March through April) our partners
from Finger Lakes Community College provided students with education
on the proper potting techniques for the restorative species to
be used along Sucker Brook. Students were responsible to the care
and maintenance of the plants until the beginning of May when
they were transported to the hoophouse at FLCC for a hardening
off period of two weeks. The 400 willow species were then transported
to Sucker Brook for the students to use in their restoration project.
The actual restoration project was dependant on the snow melt
as well as assistance from the city of Canandaigua in the heavy
preparation work along the restoration site. Based on those factors
the restoration took place on May 7th in the city of Canandaigua.
The project was a day-long effort involving 40 students and 17
adult volunteers. These volunteers included school staff, employees
of the Canandaigua Watershed Council and Fingers Lakes Community
College students and staff. Many students who participated in
the weekly programming did not participate in the actual service
project due to scheduling conflicts and end-of-the year school
activities.
The overall success of the project was dependant upon the collaboration
and in-kind donations of all participants and partners. The Canandaigua
Watershed provided all of the plant material to be used in the
project. The staff from FLCC not only donated their time toward
educating the students but also provided the soil and the free
usage of space in the college greenhouse and hoophouse. The FLCC
transportation van was also utilized for moving the willow species
to the various school locations and to the restoration site. Work
gloves for the project were provided by FLCC and a local Big Brothers
Big Sisters organization.
Goals and Objectives
Academic
Learning Goal: To have students recognize their impact in the
community and in the environment. Students will recognize how
their actions and re-actions can either positively or negatively
affect their homes, community and natural environment.
Standard: Mathematics, Science and Technology. Standards 4 and
5
Learning Goal: Students will learn about a watershed, erosion
and sources and impact of pollution as well as the steps toward
resolving these issues.
Standard: Mathematics, Science and Technology. Standards 4 and
5
Service
Community need: The Canandaigua Watershed Council along with
the community of Canandaigua identified the need for restoration
of several areas along Sucker Brook. Key to this project is the
reduction of sediment and pollutants entering the Brook and subsequently
into the lake of Canandaigua. Establishing habitat for the local
wildlife was also identified as an important need. In addition,
a group of selected students will travel to Johnsburg, NY to assist
in an environmental project. Initially, students were to be involved
in the construction of a trout spawning bed, however, the Lodge
prioritized their needs and identified the clean-up of the lake
and surrounding streams as a more pressing need at this time.
The local beaver population has accumulated a great deal of debris
around the area which need to be removed to allow access of fresh
water into the lake.
Possible Community Partners: Canandaigua Watershed Council, Finger
Lakes Community College, Chatiemak Fishing Lodge
Objective: Students will acquire knowledge of the skills necessary
to successfully cultivate young willow plants.
Objective: All students involved in the STREAM project will plant
400 basket, pussy and Streamco willow plants that will be utilized
in the restoration of Sucker Brook
Character
Virtue: Respect for the natural environment
Objective: Students will recognize the importance and value of
their natural environment in their daily lives whereby gaining
respect and a desire to maintain the health of our ecosystem.
Virtue: Student responsibility to school, community and natural
environment
Objective: Students will learn responsibility for the natural
environment by engaging in a variety of activities which will
assist students in identifying the connection between their actions
and the resulting impact on the natural environment.
Key Activities
Key Planning Activities
1. A representative from the Canandaigua Watershed Council conducted
activities at each of the schools utilizing a large model of the
Canandaigua Watershed. Utilizing this tool gave students hands-on
and visual information regarding causes of pollution for the Canandaigua
Watershed. The model allowed students to see the impact of run-off
pollutants from farms, personal residences and local businesses.
It also included information about the local sewage treatment
plants and the fact that community storm drains actually empty
directly into the lake rather than into the sewage treatment plant.
2. A volunteer from the Conservation Department at FLCC provided
technical assistance in each of the schools for the plant potting
activity. Students were taught the importance of establishing
a strong root base along a shore line in order to prevent erosion.
Students were instructed in the proper methods of planting willows
such as the importance of polarity for establishing ample root
systems. The instructor modeled the proper method for potting
plants including the use of adequate soil and irrigation techniques.
These techniques were taught so the potted plants would develop
an adequate root base so they could be utilized for erosion prevention
along Sucker Brook.
Key Service Activities
1. The students cared for and maintained the potted willows over
a period of one month (March 21-April 18, 2005)at each of the
schools' greenhouses.
2. Students participated in a strenuous restoration project on
May 7, 2005 that included an initial educational overview of the
site, planting logistics and safety. Students were broken up into
teams of 4 each with their own tasks including soil preparation,
seeding, actual planting of willows, mulching, watering and covering
of planting site with hay. Students planted approximately 400
willow plants in this restoration project.
Key Reflection Activities
1. Following the service project, students had the opportunity
to reflect on their experiences during the program period through
written comments on project reflection form.
2. Students debriefed the restoration experience with FLCC participants
both on the bus trip back to their respective schools and at subsequent
program meetings.
3. While at the restoration site, students demonstrated their
ability to integrate classroom learning into action. For example,
students were able to demonstrate and apply the appropriate steps
in the planting process to ensure the success of the restoration
effort.
Celebration Activity
During the restoration project the Mayor of Canandaigua attended
the event and recognized the students for their efforts in assisting
the community. In addition, the local newspaper, The Daily Messenger,
interviewed students during the potting phase of the project and
printed a story about Project STREAM. The same newspaper wrote
a follow-up story about the actual restoration project. Unfortunately,
do to the fact our project spans an entire county, it was difficult
to coordinate one central celebration that included all four school
communities and parents of the participants. Students were encouraged
to talk with their parents about the project and take a family
outing to the site to check on the growth process throughout the
summer. The students in each of the four schools were shown the
video from the restoration project during our celebratory pizza
party.
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