Seventh-grade students at Farmwell Station Middle School were named finalists for the first time in the Caring for Our Watershed contest. This contest asks students to develop a plan that answers the question “What can you do to improve your watershed?” The contest requires that students research their local watershed, identify an environmental concern, and draft a written proposal containing a realistic solution.
For this year’s contest, seventh-grade science teacher Manju Gomathinayagam’s students identified the drop in pollinator population as a serious issue facing the Chesapeake watershed. To address the problem, the students developed a project to grow pollinator meadows.
Prior to spring break, the students got their hands a little dirty as they rolled soil, clay and native seeds into balls. Following spring break, the students distributed the seed balls on the borders of the school property and along the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) bike trail which borders the school property. To promote the sustainability of this project, the students used flower seeds native to Virginia.
This activity aligns with the seventh-grade science curriculum, specifically lessons about the ecosystem and human impacts on the environment. In their proposal, the students state that they are concerned about the impacts caused by the clearing of land for data centers. The students hope that their project will mitigate this loss of habitat by creating flowering meadows and improved plant biodiversity. This project also helped students celebrate Earth Month by inspiring them to take action for a healthier planet through learning and environmental stewardship.
Gomathinayagam explained that for the past three years, she has guided her students in competing in this contest. This year is the first year her students’ project reached the finals.
Also, as part of this project, the students created a video to present to the judges on April 23. The winners of the contest will be announced on May 1.