Growing More Than Rain Gardens

Student Program

How it Works

Our afterschool program serves students ages 14 to 21. It is designed especially for students who need extra support in math and science.

Students learn about urban stormwater runoff—what happens when rain flows over streets and buildings—and how it affects local streams and waterways. Lessons connect real-world environmental issues to math and science concepts taught in school.

The program is hands-on and project-based. Students work in teams to:

Survey local properties
Plan simple design solutions
Build and install rain gardens or cisterns

During field days, students are connected with and job-shadow contractors and personnel currently employed in GSI (Green Stormwater Infrastructure).

Agriculture students earn Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) hours for class credit.

Occupational Course of Study students earn work and community service hours.

Environmental Science students receive practical experience according to curriculum standards.

Participants earn a stipend of $220 while gaining real work experience. Compensation requires completion of all required sessions, assessments, and in-the-field activities (16 total hours).

Through these activities, students improve their understanding of STEM subjects, build practical skills, and develop a stronger sense of environmental responsibility.

Our education program employs a stormwater curriculum we co-authored in 2013 under the aegis of the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics (NCSSM), and designed for Title 1 schools.
See Curriculum

Register for our next apprenticeship

Parents/Guardians can register their students aged 14-21 currently enrolled in high school for our next apprenticeship program.

What the kids are saying…

"I now see connected and not connected water everywhere, even in my neighborhood. I think about how I can improve my house. I also notice and am aware of the first flush during storms."
"I loved the days we were outside working or where we got to hear from people in those professions. Actually seeing the product that we helped put together was amazing."
“This program made me think more about how the implementation of green infrastructure can be used to reduce the environmental consequences of human activity. It was also very impactful to me to see the direct consequences of stormwater runoff.”
“I appreciated learning about something that impacts the environment in a way that I never considered; and getting to actively participate in solving the issue.”
"I have gained knowledge of how rainwater affects the environment and ways to mitigate the effects with rain gardens and other practices. Now, I plan on using these applications in the real world to help aid people in living more sustainably."
“I enjoyed learning about the environment and making friends in the process.”
“It has given me a clear idea of things we can do to balance the negative effects of our infrastructure on the environment.”

Growing More Than Rain Gardens

Student Program

How it Works

The Curriculum

Register for our next apprenticeship

"I now see connected and not connected water everywhere, even in my neighborhood. I think about how I can improve my house. I also notice and am aware of the first flush during storms."

"I loved the days we were outside working or where we got to hear from people in those professions. Actually seeing the product that we helped put together was amazing."

“This program made me think more about how the implementation of green infrastructure can be used to reduce the environmental consequences of human activity. It was also very impactful to me to see the direct consequences of stormwater runoff.”

“I appreciated learning about something that impacts the environment in a way that I never considered; and getting to actively participate in solving the issue.”

"I have gained knowledge of how rainwater affects the environment and ways to mitigate the effects with rain gardens and other practices. Now, I plan on using these applications in the real world to help aid people in living more sustainably."

“I enjoyed learning about the environment and making friends in the process.”

“It has given me a clear idea of things we can do to balance the negative effects of our infrastructure on the environment.”

Urban Sustainability Solutions, INC.