Colson Elementary – Ms. Donnelly’s 4th Grade

After going on several community walks students discovered several safety and environmental issues. Some of the issues include: exposed tree roots, leaking water pipes, paint chips on the ground close to a Head Start class, electrical outlets without covers and overgrown storm drains. At Colson Park they discovered litter and the presence of air potato, an invasive species.

Students took quick action after finding a water leak from a major pipe on campus. They measured water coming from the leak for four hours; it was leaking at a rate of two cups per hour! After students reported the problem to administration, a plumber was sent out to fix it. As a result, they saved their school a lot of money while conserving a precious resource

When they found vegetation in the stormwater drain impeding water flow, students informed the custodial staff who attended to it immediately. Electrical outlets were also covered.

The swift action by students has also assisted park officials at Colson Park. When students noticed a leaky fountain, they contacted Jeff Mauch from the Hillsborough County Parks Dept. who “appreciated the extra set of eyes in caring for our parks”.