Rain Gardens to the Rescue
Photo used by permission of Greenbrier
Intermediate School |
Water is crucial to success in gardening, but too much can
be as troublesome as too little. As
snow
melts
and rain
falls, making
puddles
in
parking
lots and playgrounds, it's an ideal opportunity to introduce
your students to the world of rain gardens.
This feature is inspired by the many schools and youth
groups that have created rain gardens to tackle pollution caused
by stormwater runoff. As with any school garden project, you
can integrate your rain garden with virtually all classroom
subjects. And when students have a hand in helping solve real-world
problems with their knowledge and academic skills, they gain
confidence in their ability to make a difference in the world — and
this feeds their desire to learn and take on greater challenges.
Read on to find background information, lessons, and supporting
resources to get your class started on a rewarding rain garden
adventure!
Lessons and Activities
Rain
Gardens to the Rescue! – Get the lowdown how these specially
designed gardens remediate stormwater runoff, and how they
can fit into your schoolyard and curriculum.
Lesson:
The Right Spot for a Rain Garden – Learn about soil particles
and investigate the drainage properties of soil in the schoolyard.
Lesson:
The Right Size for a Rain Garden – Assess the amount
of stormwater runoff on your school grounds and just how
big a rain garden needs to be to handle it all.
From
the Garden to the Sea – This month's program spotlight
shines on a Virginia school's award-winning rain garden project.
Additional Web Resources
Rain
Garden Curriculum - An exemplary curriculum developed
by the University of Wisconsin-Madison takes you through
the entire process of developing a rain garden in 16 multidisciplinary
lessons.
Rain
Garden Lessons – This unit provides the foundation for
a service-learning project for a high school biology class.
Rain
Garden Design Templates – Check out dozens of ready-made
designs for various the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, which encompasses
millions of acres along the east side of the Appalachian
Mountain Range from New York to Virginia.
Water
Resources Challenge – A series of assessment explorations
provides a great way for middle- and high-school students
to hone real-world research and critical thinking skills.
Water
Wise Kids – And here you'll find some explorations suited
to younger students.
Farnsworth
Aerospace Magnet School – These students have been involved
in creating community rain gardens to collect rooftop run-off
for several years. Check out the photos of some of their
projects.
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© 2009
National Gardening Association