Skip to content

Do you know your watershed?

Seven Summits Centre for Learning creates LEGO watershed.
7387trailScreenShot2015-06-04at11.34.51AM
Top: Some of the students involved in creating this model

Chris Stedile

Rossland News

As part of the Columbia Basin Trust’s (CBT)  Know Your Watershed program, five Grade eight students from the Seven Summits Centre for Learning are teaching other students and the community about where they get their water from and what happens to it after it’s used.

The amazing 3D model is a fun and unique teaching tool to educate the Rossland community about their water.

“This activity was part of their Student Action Project,” noted Jess Williams, the local Know Your Watershed educator in Rossland.  “Students took what they learned in class and created this visual representation of Rossland’s watershed. The model highlights our watershed boundaries, where our water comes from, how our water is treated, and where our water goes once we use it.  Students gain a real understanding of the true journey our water takes starting from the headwaters of Topping Creek to the outflow into Columbia River, and all the places in between” adds Williams.

The students will bring the 3D Watershed LEGO Model to the L’École des Sept-Sommets to give a short presentation of the model to four different classes.

Williams added, “These students wanted to share their knowledge of how Rossland’s water is vital to everyday life; our environment, our health, recreation and community. This model is a great way to teach students and adults alike about our local watershed.”

Ben Kroeker, Grade eight learner said, “I already knew where my water came from, but I didn’t really know where my poop goes.”

Mélanie Boothe, Grade 8-12 science mentor at the Centre for Learning explained, “The Know Your Watershed Program is a valuable, hands-on experience for students to learn more about their watershed, reinforcing the learning outcomes of the Grade 8 science curriculum. The Student Action Project gave my students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a meaningful manner. They feel a sense of pride in accomplishing their 3D Watershed Lego Model and sharing their insights with other young learners.”

The community will have their chance to view this creative and informative 3D model on June 11 at the Rossland Mountain Market. Everyone is invited to come out and learn a little something about their local watershed.

Know Your Watershed is a regionally based watershed education program of the CBT delivered throughout the Canadian portion of the Columbia Basin since 2010.  Administered and managed by Wildsight, the program is designed specifically for students and support teachers in delivering the Grade 8 science curriculum.  Students take part in two classroom sessions and a full-day field trip to increase their knowledge and awareness of their watershed and water-related issues in their communities.