Student Action Overview

The Poudre Learning Center offers three impactful stewardship programs that inspire students to engage with local issues and develop solutions that make a difference in their communities. Below are details about each of these FREE programs, including important dates and key information for participation.

Teachers

I like how it ties in with our material so nicely, and challenges my kids to think about solving a real issue that they see in their communities.

- Berthoud High School, Science

At the beginning, one student commented, "Wait, we have to do this project? Not just plan and write about it?"... After the project, students sent me articles they researched independently and implemented environmentally sound changes at work and at home. The program creates intrinsic motivation to learn and apply knowledge. This is the purpose of education, after all.

- Dayspring Christian Academy, Science

I appreciated that the students' final assessments was this project rather than a typical unit test.

- Poudre High School, Science

It is a great opportunity that has afforded my students experiences they normally wouldn't get because of the funding.

- Fort Collins High School, Science

Students

I learned how to make our rivers cleaner!

- RISE Challenge, Seventh Grader

I'm a water scientist now!

- GROW Challenge, Third Grader

This program not only created a greater drive in me, but it also led me to have greater social interactions with others outside my school and within.

- Caring for Our Watersheds, High Schooler

I learned that I can do just about anything, and overcame my fear of doing something on my own.

- Caring for Our Watersheds, High Schooler

It made me more confident in my own skills and resources.

- Caring for Our Watershed, High Schooler

Kindergarten - 5th Grade

A teacher and student stand beside their class's art that shows water's journey through watersheds.

The GROW Challenge

Growing Future Environmental Stewards Through Creativity and Action

The GROW Challenge engages elementary students (Grades K-5) in environmental stewardship by guiding them through the process of developing and presenting project proposals that explore ways to protect life on Earth. Each grade level tackles an essential question related to air, land, water, or wildlife, building foundational skills for future action-based projects like the RISE Challenge and Caring for Our Watersheds.

Students will research real-world environmental concerns, brainstorm creative solutions, and present a class-wide proposal that demonstrates their ideas. Rather than requiring full implementation, the challenge allows students to practice developing a stewardship project through structured activities and research.

How to Participate

Each class will submit a collaborative project proposal in response to the overarching prompt:

What can you do to protect life in your community?

Proposals will be scaffolded by grade level, ensuring students build skills year after year. Each submission will include:

A background on their environmental concern
A proposed solution with sustainable goals
An implementation plan that outlines their ideas
Creative elements to visually or artistically express their proposal

What we provide

Grade-specific project templates to guide students through the proposal process
Optional guidance sessions from mentors to support research and brainstorming
Connections to community experts and professionals
Opportunities for cross-school collaboration
A panel of judges to assess and score the proposals, giving students a feel for future action-based projects.

Through the GROW Challenge, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills while laying the groundwork for future environmental action.

For more information, contact Josiah Flores (jflores38@greeleyschools.org)

FAQs

What is expected of my class?

Your class will work together to develop a project proposal in response to the prompt:
"What can you do to protect life in your community?"
Rather than implementing a full project, students will research an environmental concern, brainstorm solutions, and create a class-wide proposal. Each grade level will have a scaffolded template that aligns with their curriculum, helping students build essential skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and environmental stewardship.

What support do I receive?

We provide a variety of resources to help guide your students through the challenge, including:

Grade-specific project templates to scaffold student learning
Lesson plans for in-class sessions to guide research and brainstorming
Optional mentor support from local environmental professionals
Connections to other participating schools for collaborative discussions
Access to community resources and experts to enhance learning

What are the key dates?

September 3, 2024: Challenge opens
September 2024 - February 2025: Classes will outline their creative ideas, including their themes, materials, and messaging. Mentorship from educators and experts associated with Impact Earth is available.
March 30, 2025: Deadline to register for the Challenge.
April 18, 2025: Final project submission deadline. Classes will submit their completed art projects for judging based on creativity, messaging, and collaboration.
May 14, 2025: Student Action Science Fair. GROW Challenge projects will be showcased alongside RISE Challenge projects, demonstrating the progression from creative expression to real-world impact. Winners will be announced and honored at the fair.

How does the GROW Challenge prepare students for future programs?

The GROW Challenge lays the foundation for students to think critically, research solutions, and develop action plans—all key skills needed for middle school programs like the RISE Challenge and Caring for Our Watersheds. By participating, students gain experience in:

Identifying environmental issues
Developing research-based solutions
Presenting their ideas in a structured format
Collaborating with peers to problem-solve

This ensures a smooth transition to more advanced environmental action projects as they progress through school.

Grow challenge registration

grow challenge rules

5th Grade - 8th Grade

Four students survey the Poudre River while wading through its waters.

The RISE Challenge with Earth Force

Empowering Middle School Students to Take Action on Natural Hazards

The RISE Challenge engages middle school students in a hands-on learning experience where they research, plan, and implement projects that address local natural hazards. Through a partnership with Earth Force, students receive guidance and resources to develop action plans that could include public awareness campaigns, infrastructure designs, or policy advocacy.

Key Dates:

September 3, 2024: Challenge opens.
September 2024 - February 2025: Groups will outline their goals, strategies, and budgets for an action project that improves their community's resilience against natural hazards. Groups that participate through Impact Earth can receive mentorship support from educators and experts associated with Impact Earth.
March 12, 2025: Deadline to submit student action plans for feedback and implementation approval. All groups that submit action plans for approval are eligible for implementation support up to $1,000.
April 16, 2025: Deadline for five-minute video action story presentations. These videos will be judged by a panel of community experts on innovation, scope & research, stakeholder communication, budget, visuals, and overall community impact. The top 10 finalists will be selected for the final competition.
April 30, 2025: Colorado RISE Summit and Student Showcase. The top 10 Civic Action Stories will be presented for final competition, with prizes ranging from $300 to $1,000. Student groups will also participate in a reflection panel.
May 14, 2025: Student Action Science Fair. RISE Challenge projects will be showcased alongside GROW Challenge projects, with awards presented to the top projects.

The RISE Challenge encourages students to become leaders in their communities, making a tangible impact on local resilience and preparedness.

For more information, contact Josiah Flores (jflores38@greeleyschools.org)

rise challenge registration

rise challenge website

8th Grade - 12th Grade

A student and volunteers work together to implement her project of planting trees in Lincoln Park.

Caring For Our Watersheds

Fostering Stewardship and Innovation in Air, Land, Water, and Wildlife Sustainability

Caring For Our Watersheds is a challenge that invites students within the South Platte River Watershed in Colorado to propose innovative solutions to protect and improve their local land and resources. This challenge is open to both middle and high school students, who are encouraged to research their watershed, identify key issues, and develop actionable ideas to address those challenges. $10,000 in implementation funds will be distributed to winning teams eager to bring their idea to life. Mentorship is available to implementing teams.

Key Dates:

August 30, 2024: Contest opens. Students research their watershed and begin developing their proposals that answer the question: “What can you do to improve your watershed?”
January 5, 2025: Contest entry deadline. Proposals must be submitted by this date to be eligible for the competition.
May 9, 2025: Final Presentation & Award Ceremony at the Poudre Learning Center. Finalists present their proposals to a panel of judges, with over $6,000 in rewards available for students and over $11,000 for participating schools and clubs.

Students can deepen their understanding of local issues while strengthening their proposals by booking workshops and field experiences through the Poudre Learning Center. To schedule, click the 'Workshop Request' button below.

This program is a great pathway for students to earn a seal of climate literacy by meeting the experiential learning project requirements. Learn more about the Seal of Climate Literacy here.

For more information, contact Ivonne Morales (imorales4@greeleyschools.org) or visit CaringForOurWatersheds.com. Ready to get started? Register below!

Teacher registration

Workshop request

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