Our Time at Conley Elementary School

Our time at Conley Elementary this spring was nothing short of unforgettable. From the very first day, we were welcomed by passionate, eager students and two incredibly supportive teachers (Ms. Meyn and Ms. Kienitz) who worked with us each step of the way. They supervised after-school sessions in their classrooms and made sure students had everything they needed to thrive. Their kindness and collaboration made this program possible!

It was especially heartwarming when one student returned after our Water Filter Competition carrying a bag full of clean, empty plastic bottles. He and his grandmother had been collecting them at home, remembering how we had reused bottles in our lessons. Moments like these make us so happy as they show us that the students are really internalizing all of the lessons.

Each week began with a projector-based lesson introducing a new environmental concept such as ecosystems, pollution, sustainability, or engineering. What we didn’t expect was how deeply these lessons would resonate. Students had so many thoughts and questions that we often had to adjust our timelines to keep the discussions going. Rather than rushing through activities, we chose to lean into these conversations, giving students the space to reflect and respond. It turned each session into something truly meaningful.

We are so excited to announce that Water the Roots will be returning to Conley Elementary this fall with a brand-new six-week program. We can’t wait to bring even more hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and environmental exploration to these amazing students. With the continued support of Ms. Meyn, Ms. Kienitz, and the entire Conley community, we know this next chapter will be even more special.

Thank you, Conley Elementary, for reminding us how powerful curiosity and compassion can be. We’ll see you soon!