Waterworks; Environmental Construction for Teens

Overview

When it rains in urban areas, the water meets impermeable surfaces and has few places to go. On its way to the storm drain, it tends to carry along all sorts of waste we’d rather not have in our watershed. One solution to this problem is to build downspout planters that catch the water from our roofs, filter it, and allow some to evaporate. It’s an effective and beautiful solution, and all it requires is someone who knows how to make things.

In this project, 10 high school students will build 10 downspout planters for the new Vector Space building on Memorial Ave. Students will develop a design, they will be taught to use the tools required to build their design, and will ultimately work with wood, metal, stone, and PVC to bring their design to life. In the process, students will learn about storm water and its importance to our community, and finally plant the beds with vegetation thoughtfully chosen.
Schedule

Start date: Monday, July 17
End date: Friday, July 21
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Eligibility

This project is for students ages 14 to 19 (rising 9th through 12th grades). The registration fee is $250.
Partners (scholarships available)

This project is a partnership with the Lynchburg Department of Water Resources.