DROPS

DROPS: Drought Response Outreach Program for Schools

Food & Water Security

Rainwater harvesting at local elementary schools

The DROPS project incorporates low impact development (LID) strategies to reduce onsite flooding, capture storm water runoff, and filter pollutants at local elementary and middle schools. Past projects have focused on system design and implementation, as well as developing curricular materials for the schools. These outreach activities can change our collective approach to sustainable water management through engaging students, city council members, and the Santa Cruz community at large.

Updates:

This year's team is working with Pacific Elementary School in Davenport to perform a study for a potential Non-Potable Water System. This system could help to irrigate a small farm and potentially prevent flooding. The site assessment has been completed and the team is currently moving forward to design the system under the mentorship of a local civil engineer. 

Archive:

The raingineers worked to develop lesson plans to teach local high school and elementary school students how to map flood conditions.

Bay View Elementary project featured LID construction at as a demonstration of how schools can adopt conservation strategies while exposing the vulnerability of local water resources and impacts on climate action goals. LID features  planned for the Bay View Elementary demonstration site will include bioswales, raingardens, and a rainwater harvesting system.  This infrastructure will serves as a hands on tool for students to learn about hydrology and water systems management while satisfying Next Generation Science Standards.