Watershed Mural for Sierra Watershed Education Partnership

“Our actions create a ripple effect.”

Through a highly interactive instruction and production process, students created a collaborative art installation surrounding a storm drain on campus to raise their own and their community’s awareness of water, watersheds and the deep connections between humans and our natural environment.

Participating 4th grade students at Kings Beach Elementary School in north Lake Tahoe learned about watersheds, including our local watershed. After activities that taught the concept of symbols, students created then refined drawings into symbols of elements of a healthy watershed. These symbols were translated into stencils, which were used in the final mural. Words were translated into both English and Spanish, and students were able to revisit their work after completion, and bring family members and friends to see what they had done together, creating ripples upon ripples…