Watershed in a Box
Coyote Creek is one of the top five dirtiest waterways in San Francisco Bay Area. In partnership with SJSU’s Environmental Resource Center, CommUniverCity, Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful (KCCB) and Valley Water educated local schoolchildren about the natural environment surrounding the creek where they live and what they can do to protect it. This year, eight lessons were taught to almost 200 students in grades k-8.
In the lesson Be Prepared, students learn what floods are, how they occur, and how to assemble a flood emergency kit. In other lessons, students learn about the negative effects of land litter on water quality and how to perform simple water quality tests.
As part of this effort, an original game was developed complete with a unique gameboard and game pieces to help players understand the complex life cycle of local fish that historically inhabited their watershed. Through this program, elementary and middle school students learn about environmental science and stewardship in a fun and relatable way from advanced Environmental Studies students who provide insight and inspiration on this growing STEM career field.
Project Impacts
76% of participants were able to correctly identify factories, sewage treatment plants, and large farms as three common types of point source water pollution
70% of students were able to remember and write down the 4 R’s of waste reduction (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse) and provide an example of how they can use one “R” in their life
78% of students were able to correctly identify what makes litter biodegradable or nonbiodegradable
Students Engaged
Residents Engaged
Hours of Student Service
Value
Faculty Lead
Lynne Trulio and Katherine Cushing (Environmental Studies)
Sponsors
