Stormwater Capture and Use Short Program
The Stormwater Capture and Use Program empowers youth to reimagine how their school uses rainwater, using hands-on learning in water systems and structural design.
Program Overview
Every year, billions of gallons of rainwater rush into the ocean during heavy storms— water that could be captured and reused. Meanwhile, the reservoirs that capture and store water are hitting historic lows. This stark contrast raises a critical question: What can schools and individuals do to capture stormwater runoff and use it at their schools or homes?
In this series of six, one-hour meetings, students will use research tools to explore their own school campus, investigate the challenges and opportunities of stormwater runoff and design practical, site-specific strategies for capturing and reusing water.
Phases
Part 1: Exploring the School Site
Students will explore their school site and identify the infrastructure designed to manage storm event runoff. This will include roofs, gutters, drainpipes, school site watershed flows and collection areas. This information will be added to a school site topographic base map, with an accurate scale for measuring surface areas.
Part 2: Studying Capture Systems
Roofs provide an opportunity for collecting relatively clean water. Students learn about the necessary equipment and how to design a system to capture and store water from roofs. Using their school maps, they will calculate the volume of water being generated on a school site roof. Students will then identify structural equipment needed to deliver the roof water into a storage tank. Students will also learn about retention basins and or rain gardens. They will identify ground areas on campus that collect water and then design a project that can utilize the rain event water for landscape needs.
Part 3: Designing Solutions
Using their school maps, they will calculate the volume of water being generated on a school site. Students will then research the structural equipment needed to deliver water into collection areas (rain tanks and or retention basins). Using design software, students will create a 3D model of their project.
Part 4: Developing Strategies and Messaging
With a project designed, students will prepare cost estimates for the project along with a project description that includes the benefits achieved. In addition, a verbal presentation with slides will be created.
Part 5: Final Presentation and Recommendations
Working with Poseidon Education, a VIP panel will be formed (including school administration, local water agencies and municipalities) that will listen to the presentation and provide responses. The final work will be submitted to the school district for consideration.
Program Benefits
Integration
Hands-on project-based learning that easily integrates into curriculum and aligns with NGSS standards
Connection
Connects students with community through public outreach
Career Exposure
Exposes students to career pathways including municipal public works, water agencies, and environmental engineering firms
Technical Skills
Develops critical data analysis and engineering design skills
Passion and Confidence
Develops passion for environmental leadership as well as confidence in public speaking
Experience
Builds experiences and skills for resumes and applications
Program Features
Comprehensive educational materials customized for the local watershed, school site, teacher, and experience level of students
Digital files customized with information from local agencies, along with water systems and local environmental concerns
Continued 1:1 teacher consultation with certified water quality expert
Includes all necessary equipment for school site water testing, with personal protective equipment for class
Final report development materials and presentation planning