Water Solutions
PATHWAYS TO SOLUTIONARY ACTION
GENERAL PATHWAYS TO ACTION FOR CAMPUS, CURRICULUM, COMMUNITY AND CULTURE
CAMPUS Examples
Entry-Level: Conduct a baseline audit of a water use and set up a tracking system for monthly review. Outline how water comes into the school and the major indoor and outdoor areas of use (indoor fixtures, cafeteria, swimming pool, soccer field etc).
Mid-Level: Improve water efficiency by installing water efficient faucets and toilets, capturing rainwater and landscaping with native plants.
Full Integration: Create a comprehensive water conservation and management plan to include grey water and rainwater catchment systems.
CURRICULUM Examples
Entry-Level: Provide students with supplemental lessons that examine water use and conservation.
Mid Level: Create lessons for students to examine water from multiple lenses and identify economic, social, and environmental issues. Students can then apply their learning by collecting data from their campuses, developing awareness campaigns and setting up water conservation action plans for their school.
Full Integration: Deliver water curriculum to every student in the school. Ongoing education paired with campus events and facilities affords students a comprehensive understanding of water.
COMMUNITY AND CULTURE Examples
Entry-Level: Host a one time event on water conservation issues in California.
Mid-Level: Participate in a short-term awareness or action campaign focusing on waste diversion with 20-50% participation in the school community.
Full Integration: Implement an ongoing awareness or action campaign focusing waste diversion with over 50% participation in the school community.
COMMUNITY IMPACT PROJECT RESOURCES FOR STUDENT, TEACHER, AND ADMINISTRATOR LEADERS
A community impact project (CIP) is service work done by a person or group of people that benefits a local community (school, neighborhood, city, etc.).
Student-Led Projects: Leading solutionary community impact projects allow student voices to be heard and incorporated into local policy, provides an opportunity for youth to develop leadership skills and career training, and can make lasting impacts that improve the health and wellbeing of a community. This resource provides a framework for student-led projects, as well as examples.
Teacher and Administrator-Led Projects: Leading solutionary projects provides an opportunity for administrators and teachers to make lasting impacts that improve the health and wellbeing of a school community. This resource provides a framework for administrator and teacher-led projects, as well as examples.
SOLUTIONARY EXAMPLES FROM DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Laurel School (Menlo Park City School District) - 2018-19: Cleaning up Plastics from the Watershed
Carlmont High School (Sequoia UHSD) - 2020-21: Youth Climate Ambassador lead county-wide water themed environmental art contest for 6th grade students
Woodside High School (Sequoia UHSD) - 2017-18: Stormwater management and water quality research
Tierra Linda Middle School (San Carlos School District) - 2019-20: Rain barrel installation for a bioswale
PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Carey School (2021-22) - Students constructed a recycled water hand washing station from rain barrels, and the sink and hose used for the station were recycled from a play kitchen in the school garden.