Stormwater Capture and Use Short Program

It is estimated that billions of gallons of water have been rushing into the ocean during heavy rain events. At the same time, reservoirs that capture and store water are at historic lows.

​What can schools and individuals do to capture stormwater runoff and use it at their school and at their homes?

In this series of six one-hour meetings, students use research tools to explore their school site and design strategies for stormwater capture and reuse.

• Part I
• Part II
• Part III
• Part IV
• Part V

<

>

I. 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. 

II. 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.

III. Designing and Modeling 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.

IV. 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.
​

V. Presenting 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.
​

Benefits to educators and students

• Hands-on project-based learning that easily integrates into curriculum and aligns with NGSS
• Exposes students to career pathways including municipal public works, water regulatory agencies, and environmental engineering firms.
• Develops critical data analysis and engineering design skills
• Develops confidence in public speaking and presentation and passion for environmental advocacy
  
• Connects students with community through public outreach
• Develops passion for environmental leadership
• Builds experiences and skills for resumes and applications

Features of our programs

• Comprehensive educational materials customized for the local watershed, the school site, the teacher,  and the experience level of the students
• Digital files customized with information from local agencies, along with water systems, and local environmental concerns  
• Continued one-on-one 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