WATER CONSERVATION/POLLUTION PREVENTION
1. WATER QUALITY TESTING: Over the period of two years, majority of Augusta Fells students (9th -12th) went on several field trips to the Chesapeake Bay and conducted water quality tests. Students also conducted water quality test at Oregon Ridge Nature Center. On October 15, 2013, twenty-two 9th and 10th grade students also went to SciTech lab and conducted water quality test at the Inner harbor and studied the critters of the Bay. In addition to outdoor water quality testing, Forty-three 9th grade Environmental Science students also tested water samples in the classroom during the first semester of 2013-2014 . In this activity, students compared the quality of water samples from different parts of Baltimore's waterways by measuring different parameters such as pH level, Nitrogen level, Dissolved Oxygen, and Phosphate. With this quality tests, students learned about the major role of trees in keeping the waterways free of pollution and habitable. In addition to this project, around fifty 9th grade students tested water sources in the school such as water from the water cooler, bottled water from home, and tap water.
2. STORM DRAIN STENCILING: On November 18-27, 2013, eleven 9th-11th students painted four storm drains with different designs and slogans around the school campus. This activity started with an overview of run off and storm drains. The purpose of this activity is to educate the community that storm drains are not for trash but for the rain water. Students plan to create their own stencil design and will go back in spring, 2014 to paint more storm drains around the area.
3. TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY: On November 7th, 2012, twenty-three 10th grade Biology students planted trees around the school campus in cooperation with "Blue Water Baltimore" and Baltimore Talent High School. Students first received a watershed lesson and tree-planting training from BWB staff, Debra Lenik before they proceeded to the activity. Students planted the trees along the street, in front of the school building, and along the sides of the football field. In this activity, students learn that importance of trees in reducing or preventing run off.
4. REUSE TO REDUCE LITTER - LETTER TO THE COUNCIL: Through Lisa Guire of Blue Water Baltimore, the Green CLub members (grades 9th-11th)were made aware of the proposed Bill #13-0241, a ten-cent fee on disposable plastic and paper bags. After having discussed the content of the bill and the statistics presented to the group, the group had a debate whether or not to support the bill. All the members of the group agreed to help limit the use of plastic use to reduce pollution, however not everybody agreed to the proposed ten-cent bill. The opposing teams had their own valid arguments. At the end, Nanyamka Anderson (11th grade) a member of the club who is for the Bill wrote a letter to the council expressing support and asking the council to support the bill. Below is the letter to the council sent by the student on January 23, 2014.
letter_to_the_council_na.docx | |
File Size: | 11 kb |
File Type: | docx |
2014_baltimore_bag_flyer.pdf | |
File Size: | 141 kb |
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talking_points_about_baltimore_city_bag_bill.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
5. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: The Green Club, has partnered with Maryland Pesticide Network to encourage the business community in the area to use Integrated Pest Management. At least ten members of the Green Club (9th-11th) signed up and participate to this program. The group is concerned about the harmful effects of toxic chemicals on human health and the environment. Students know that when these chemicals mixed with the run off it can be transported to the Chesapeake Bay which in turn pose danger to wildlife. The students first received Integrated Pest management lessons and interview training from MPN coordinator. MPN coordinator also showed students sample products with harmful chemical contents. The students then visited restaurant owners to conduct an interview, give out IPM brochures and survey the stores. Students analyzed the result of their investigation and conducted research about the harmful effects of the chemicals they've found out the stores are using or selling. Based on their findings and research, students developed recommendations for the restaurant/store owners. Below is one of the letters the students have developed for the restaurant owner they've visited. This is an ongoing project that started in January 7th, 2014. MPN coordinator comes to school once a week to meet with the students and to accompany them to the community to promote IPM.
bills_place_ttm.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
6. Trash Removal at the Lower Hooper's Island: On March 11th, 2014, a group of eighteen 9th-12th students went to the Chesapeake Bay's abandoned Lower Hooper's Island and removed plastic trash from the island. Students picked up trash like plastics, plastic bottles, and cans. This is an important event because the trash deposited on the island can easily return to the Bay due to erosion and wind.
7. Erosion and Run Off Survey of the Schoolyard: Eight members of the Green Club (grades 9th-11th) conducted an erosion and run off survey of the schoolyard on October 30, 2013. This survey is the first page of the schoolyard report card habitat assessment. Students used the checklist found in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website to identify signs of erosion and sources of run off. The school scored an "F" with a total of 48 points on this survey. The Green Club used this data in developing their plan to improve the school's rating. The group will conduct a follow up survey before the end of the school year to monitor progress.