Project STREAM

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.