Dayton Water Science Program

How Do We Sustain is seeking donations to help us develop a public space for hands-on STEM learning for 7th-9th graders that utilizes a unique rainwater collector to immerse the students in water science right in their classrooms.

We hope to work with public educators and STEM programs in Dayton to find an impactful place at one of Dayton's public parks or schools near one of the regions "Five Rivers" for our rainwater collector. This will create a unique outdoor environmental science classroom where innercity students can see, hear, feel and experience the urban water cycle right here in Dayton. Dayton has so many underutilized public parks in the city, which present awesome opportunities to expose students to environmental sciences. An exciting water cycle curriculum will accompany the rainwater collector application and drive home STEM learning standards. 

The curriculum will engage students in the core principles of science by guiding the class through the technical mechanics of field work using the rainwater collector to gauge levels of rain fall right here in the Miami Valley. Using Project WET curriculum, sponsored by the Ohio EPA, the lessons will explain environmental science concepts aligned with Ohio Learning Standards tying in biology, chemistry and physical science. 

All components of Model Science Curriculum in Ohio must be compatible with the 5E Learning Cycle: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate according to Ohio Learning Standards.

With our community's support, we will be able to enlist local science teachers and water stewards to design exposure experiences for students to explore local waterways and water infrastructure. In order to elaborate on the findings of the rainwater collector the curriculum will guide students through data management and analysis practices. To extend and refine the students conceptual understanding of the urban water cycle, the curriculum will allow them to apply their Miami Valley rainwater data and Project WET water science concepts toward a student led water study. Finally the curriculum will include tools to evaluate the strengths of the water science program and where it can improve moving forward.

We will utilize funds to work with area educators and administrators to secure a public space for our rainwater collector. Next we will craft the curriculum during Summer break 2023. The curriculum will be ready to plug into any middle school or high school by January 2024 and the rain water collector will be purchased, online, and placed to reimagine public space for STEM education. 

May - September 2023: Fundraise

June - August 2023: Contract with a Dayton School teacher to create water science lesson plans

June - September 2023: Direct Curriculum Development and Program Evaluation 

August - September 2023: Propose rainwater collector site, arrange field trips and establish community partnerships

September 1, 2023: Finalize Curriculum and place rainwater collector

September - November 2023: Meet with area principals to find the right fit for our program

December 2023: Establish school partnership

How Do We Sustain's mission is to activate Rust Belt communities with sustainable innovations and empowers Ohio’s youth with skills to thrive in tomorrow’s green economy.

Our vision is to empower fence line communities, youth in the innercity, and communities that have no other access to sustainability education and green infrastructure.