SPMS: A Certified Green School
  • Summary
  • Top 5 Accomplishments
  • Systemic Sustainability
    • 1.1 Curriculum and Instruction >
      • Science: Environmental Literacy Standards
      • 6th Grade Habitat Research Project
      • 6th Grade Storm Water Management Lesson >
        • On Campus: Rain Gardens
        • Off Campus: Storm Water Management Project
      • 6th Grade Ecosystem Tanks
      • 7th Grade Water Quality of the Chesapeake Bay
      • 7th Grade Walking for Water
      • 7th Grade Recycled Rube Goldberg Project
      • 8th Grade Terrapin Connections
      • 8th Grade Language Arts Lesson
      • 8th Grade Weathering Investigation
      • Art Class
      • Environmental Guest Speakers
    • 1.2 Professional Development >
      • 1.2 Science Department Professional Development
      • 1.2 Green Course Professional Development
      • 1.2 2018 Professional Development
      • 1.2 2018 Professional Development
      • 1.2 2016 Professional Development
    • 1.3.1 School-Wide Environmental Behavior
    • 1.3.2 Systemic Partnerships
    • 1.4 Celebration
  • Student Driven Practices
    • 2.1 Water Conservation
    • 2.2 Energy Conservation
    • 2.3 Solid Waste Reduction
    • 2.4 Habitat Restoration
    • 2.6 Responsible Transportation
    • 2.7 Healthy School Environment
  • Partnerships & Awards
    • 3.1 Community Partnerships
    • 3.2 Awards and Special Recognitions

Systemic Sustainability: 1.1 Curriculum and Instruction

Picture2015: A storm drain at the start of the project
Off Campus: Storm Water Management Project

Bearing witness to the fact that the on campus rain gardens solidified the environmental literacy concepts for their students, the SPMS teachers very much wanted to afford students in subsequent years the same kind of hands-on, real-world learning opportunities.  Without a viable on-campus location for another garden, SPMS partnered with Arlington Echo to find sites within the surrounding community. 

Given the vast number of streams and creeks throughout Severna Park, there was no shortage within the town of sites needing planting to address the issues of run-off.  After comprehensive in-class instruction, students embarked via foot and bus throughout the area and their home communities were transformed into science labs. 

Basically, their backyards and play areas were now seen through new eyes.  Standing in places these students had been many times before, they could not help but appreciate their direct, day to day connection to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  They could see that their daily way of life impacts the waterway.  Armed with their understanding, enthusiasm, and proper tools, 500+ SPMS students got to work to rectify run off and storm water issues throughout their neighborhood: the Bay Watershed.


Fall 2018: 6th graders traveled to several different sites around Severna Park to create tiered storm water management systems similar to their on-campus rain gardens.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.