Our Lady of Lourdes, an Elementary and Middle School in New York City, is making ripples by taking on Grades of Green’s Global Water Challenge. OLL’s Green Team is an after-school science club that includes student-leaders of 6th, 7th and 8th graders, who are rolling out an awareness campaign to encourage every student on campus to develop water conservation habits. Green Team students made creative posters based on their research about water quality issues and how to reduce water footprints. They signed their Water Challenge banner, which every Water Challenge School received in their Eco Starter Kit, with the water conservation pledges they made at home with their families. The banner is displayed in the hallway to inspire other students to make pledges and spread the ripple. In January, OLL will join the Spring 2018 Global Water Challenge to continue pursuing their green goals. Each Green Team group will make classroom presentations about water conservation and how everyone can take action through everyday habits to conserve thousands of gallons of water. OLL’s Green Team will also work on their 1-minute innovation video with their solution to a community water project, which will qualifies them to become a Water Challenge Finalist with the chance to win an $1,000 education grant to put their idea into action.

What is the Global Water Challenge?

The Global Water Challenge is Grades of Green’s first virtual challenge program designed to inspire students across the globe to take action to conserve water at school and in their communities. Student leaders at participating schools are taking on the goals of saving water, inspiring their communities to care for the environment, and innovating solutions to local water issues. The Spring 2018 Challenge, which kicks off in January, will be open to 75 schools of all grade levels across the world, engaging a total of 160,000 students in water conservation and green leadership.

Inspired by OLL and want to join the Spring 2018 Water Challenge? REGISTER your school for the Water Challenge by December 15th!