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

3rd Grade - 5th Grade

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

The GROW Challenge

Inspiring Young Minds to Cultivate Air, Land, Water, and Wildlife Awareness

The GROW Challenge is an exciting opportunity for elementary school students (Grades 3-5) to learn about stewardship and express their creativity through collaborative projects. Each class works together to create a collective art project that showcases their ideas on protecting their community. Students use their classroom learning and join a community of young advocates through our pen pal program, connecting with peers both locally and across schools.

Submit a collaborative class art project based on the prompt: "What can you do to protect life on Earth?"

What We Provide:

Art materials
Optional guidance from mentors
Access to a pen pal program connecting students across schools to discuss science topics

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

FAQs

What is expected of my class?

What support do I receive?

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.
- Classes can be paired with a collaborating class from another school to begin the pen pal portion of the Challenge, beginning with an introductory prompt.
March 14, 2025: Deadline to register for the Challenge.
March 28, 2025: Final project submission deadline. Classes will submit their completed art projects for judging based on creativity, messaging, and collaboration.
May 7, 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 do the pen pal connections work?

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 7, 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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