GRPS Partners with WMEAC for Teach for the Watershed Program

In an initiative to expand environmental education, Grand Rapids Public Schools and the West Michigan Environmental Action Council are collaborating to integrate the Teach for the Watershed program into the GRPS curriculum.

The program, which is based on Michigan science curriculum standards, focuses on providing students an opportunity to interact with the Grand River and Plaster Creek watershed. Through curriculum training with teachers, the Teach for the Watershed program provides tools to assist students in guided hands-on environmental education.

“For many years GRPS has had programs that have brought environmental education to students in our specialty schools. We are excited that through this Teach for the Watershed partnership we are able to expand environmental education across the entire Grand Rapids Public School system,” said Teresa Weatherall-Neal, Grand Rapids Public School superintendent.

For the past five years, WMEAC and Groundswell have partnered with local schools to provide watershed education to teachers and students in West Michigan through the Teach for the Watershed program. The program will begin an expansion from self-selected Grand Rapids public schools to serving all students in the Grand Rapids Public School system.

“The Teach for the Watershed program at GRPS will help Grand Rapids to begin preparing young people for blue economy jobs and will help young people secure their role as the next generation of watershed leaders” said Rachel Hood, Executive Director of WMEAC.