Kids, Storm Water, and a Playground

We all want to teach kids about clean water…..So what if you put them in charge of actually cleaning it. After investigating the ditches and runoff coming onto their playground, students from Thrasher Elementary School began trying to figure out what they could do to slow that water down and clean it up.  they worked with Stantec engineer, Paul Thomas, teacher Heidi Mies, and Mary Beth to devise ideas, from crazy to amazing….to take care of that stormwater and actually create an interesting habitat on their playground.  the students drew out ideas that included a rock filter, a pond complete with a pressure sensitive gate to keep water in when needed, a meditation rock, a meandering stream with a waterfall and then lots of space for pretty plants and salamanders and frogs and turtles.  After presenting their ideas to their principal, Regina Brock, the students proceeded to vote on the ideas they would most like to be included in their stormwater system.  Now the engineer and PTA have their work cut out for them!  They have to devise a plan, using the student ideas, that the students will approve!