Need in Deed is a nonprofit organization that prepares youth for civic responsibility and service to others. Working primarily in Philadelphia public schools, Need in Deed uses a service-learning framework to help students make positive and productive connections between classroom academics and real world experiences.

When Hopkinson Elementary School students became concerned about a dirty creek near their school, Need in Deed put the school in touch with the Interpretive Center.

FWWIC is piloting a new project at the Logan and Hopkinson Elementary Schools this year in partnership with the Need in Deed. Ellen Schultz led the team that created this innovative watershed education program.

The educators first visit the school to explain watershed issues. They help the students make an above-ground model of the neighborhood to show the importance of green space in managing stormwater runoff. Then they look at the underground water infrastructure - the storm drains and sewer system. Using Office of Watershed maps of historic streams, the students can relate their neighborhood to the city's infrastructure, and see why trash and waste could end up in a creek during a storm. The next stop for the students is the FWWIC, with its many educational exhibits and its lab.

After all the classroom learning, the educators will lead the students on a neighborhood walk to see the watershed close-up and reinforce the lessons they have learned. The program will end with a student-driven community service project to educate other students and neighbors on keeping their watershed clean.

The photos show the fourth graders at Logan Elementary during their first meeting with the FWWIC educators. Ellen hopes to take this pilot program to additional schools next year.