Earth Protect Blog

BOULDER CO

By Amy Bounds

Daily Camera

Fourth-graders at Boulder’s Columbine Elementary have a lot to say about flood mitigation for Goose Creek, which runs through the neighborhood near the school.

They’re giving presentations this week after partnering with Growing Up Boulder, Classrooms for Climate Action, and Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks and Stormwater and Flood Management departments on a year-long unit.

“We can help the adults,” said fourth-grader Daphnne Mauricio Cerda. “They learn more when we share something with them. Maybe they will pass on what we told them.”

Added classmate Peter Freels, “We can inform people about how important flood mitigation is. You can protect the people living along creeks.”

For the Nature Connection, Action and Hope unit, the school’s three fourth grade classes learned about nature stewardship, indigenous knowledge and climate justice during their weekly library time with Columbine teacher librarian Jeanette Scotti.

The students visited Goose Creek, going through stations set up by the city to learn about flood mitigation efforts, area wildlife and water testing.

Then they built their own Goose Creek flood models, adding sand, a flood wall, plants and other elements to test how well they worked. They showcased the flood models Sunday at the Global Climate Summit at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The lessons were created to work with state standards, including a fourth grade unit on Colorado landscapes.

Retired teacher Tiffany Boyd, who runs Classrooms for Climate Action, said her organization — staffed by other volunteer retired teachers — wants to support teachers who are interested in teaching about climate education, but may not have the time or resources.

“We want to help teachers integrate climate education into whatever they’re teaching,” she said.

For students, she said, the lessons teach them how to take local climate action, as well as potentially helping combat the climate anxiety that many young people report feeling.

“We want kids to have agency and hope,” she said.

During Monday’s presentations, groups of students detailed their work to visitors, including city officials, retired teachers and community members.

Fourth-grader Elijah Olguin-Garcia explained the importance of mature cottonwood trees to flood mitigation, noting the roots can slow down the flow of the water by absorbing some of it. He added that he liked everything about the project.

“I liked writing about it and learning about it,” he said. “Everything about it really surprised me.”

Claire Rothschild said her favorite part was building flood models. She thought adding sand was the most effective flood mitigation strategy because “it absorbed most of the water.” Meanders, versus a straight line, for the shape of the creek are important too, she said.

“We can tell people you should have more of these things because it can stop the water,” she said. “Water is the strongest in the world. It can be dangerous. It can hurt people.”

Retired Columbine teacher Carole Suderman, who listened to Monday’s presentations, told the students they’re doing research that helps the Earth.

“Your voices are super important,” she said.

In the spring, plans include learning about Wonderland Lake and Growing Gardens as students continue to work on climate justice by looking at access to healthy foods and outdoor opportunities.

When the project is complete, Growing Up Boulder plans to write a report on lessons learned and student recommendations, sharing it with students, their families and city leaders. The project’s partners also hope to see the project become a model for other fourth grade classes in the school district.

“We’re really excited about this,” said Curry Rosato, Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks education manager.