Think globally, act locally. The old adage encourages people to think of how the actions they take in their communities can impact the world at large, particularly when it comes to the environment. The fifth grade students at Kinoshita Elementary had the opportunity to put this mindset into action y participating in the Stormwater Quality Leadership Program, sponsored by Poseidon Education and OC Public Works.
Throughout the program, students investigated their campus storm drains, conducted water sampling and testing, and developed BMPs and recommendations to improve water quality on campus. They took a field trip to a water safety treatment plant, learning how water was processed and recycled, and the harmful effects pollution can play in the process. The program culminated in a special assembly, with the students showcasing their newfound knowledge in unique ways.
Parents, teachers, community members, and even San Juan Capistrano Mayor John Campbell, gathered in the school’s MPR for the presentation. Students outlined their activities during the program, and then each group showcased their recommendations for limiting pollution. Several groups made posters detailing how even the smallest acts of pollution can set off a chain reaction of negative effects that can come back to impact humans. Two groups wrote morning announcements, encouraging their classmates to pick up trash on campus and be mindful of waste. Two groups made special stickers to distribute encouraging recycling. One group drew a large chalk mural on the playground promoting recycling, although it was washed out by a rainstorm the night before.
The program taught the students that their actions have a direct impact on the environment around them. Most of them hadn’t really considered the notion before seeing the examples and understanding the connections. Each of them finished the program with a better appreciation of citizenship, a newfound respect for the environment and a passion to share their knowledge with others.
