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Students from three schools in Media created designs that were
transferred to 133-gallon rain barrels. Designs were based on students’
understanding of the need to direct rain into the ground. The project
included a community slide presentation on rain barrels, a rain barrel
unveiling and distribution ceremony and student presentations at Media’s
Earth Day Festival. The decorated barrels were installed at the schools
and in public areas of Media Borough in the spring of 2009.
The Rain Barrel Project, facilitated by the education department of the
Stroud Water Research Center, brings together borough government,
residents, and three local elementary schools (Nativity BVM, Media
Elementary and Media Providence Friends School). Students learned about
the problems of stormwater runoff and how that water affects their
school, neighborhood and local streams. Based on these lessons, students
created designs using paint and outdoor contact film that were
transferred to 133 gallon rain barrels. These were installed at their
school sites and in public areas of Media Borough that include Media
Providence Library, Media Borough Hall and Community Center, and the
Firehouse. They also presented posters, demonstrations, songs, and poems
as part of the celebration. In all, 360 students participated in the
Rain Barrel Project and 85 members of the community were present at the
evening lecture and community event.
The Rain Barrel Project provides a demonstration of how even small
measures taken by individuals can help to reduce the impacts of urban
runoff. The education program presented rain barrels as one of many
practices such as rain gardens, green roofs, grassy swales and pervious
pavers that can reduce runoff. Several undecorated barrels were made
available to residents, and barrels were installed in public areas at
Media’s Clean-Up Green-Up Day in April.
The Stroud Water Research Center worked in partnership with Media
Borough and the Media Environmental Advisory Council and to make this
project a success. Stroud has long been at the forefront of research
into the critical role that riparian forest buffers and other best
management practices play in the protection of streams, rivers and
watersheds. Stroud’s education department works to translate the results
of that research and disseminate to a broad audience.
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