Project Spotlight: Stormwater Management & Green Infrastructure

This instructor-led module helps high school students understand the environmental impact of stormwater runoff and the importance of green infrastructure. 

• Course Type: Instructor-led

• Skills: Instructional Design, Research, Technical Writing

• Audience: High school students (9 - 12)

• Tools Used: Reference Interviews, Stormwater Calculator, Microsoft PowerPoint

• Final Deliverables: PowerPoint deck with Instructor Guide for teaching

• Year: 2022

Customer

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Research and Development (ORD) wanted to develop a module on the Stormwater Calculator that could be used for school visits. The EPA’s Stormwater Calculator is a web-based tool used to calculate the amount of stormwater runoff present in precise locations. The module's main objective was for students to use the tool to identify the amount of stormwater runoff present at their school. Students would then learn about green infrastructure principles, to combat the stormwater runoff. Because the tool is proprietary, the students would also need to learn how to use it, and how to complete necessary calculations. 

Process

I began by meeting with the EPA team to discuss possibilities for development. Because they did not have the required infrastructure for online learning or multimedia, we chose to develop a PowerPoint module with an instructor guide that the EPA researchers could use easily during school visits. The module would provide a walk-through of each step in using the Stormwater Calculator, and include additional activities to extend on topics of stormwater management and green infrastructure.

I first interviewed researchers who created the tool to learn about the calculator and how it worked. The tool is open-source, so I was also able to use it online as well, which helped to fine-tune the content. I also researched the Next Generation Science Standards. By aligning its content to these national standards, the EPA hoped to encourage more school visits for the researchers involved in the program. 

With all of this data in hand, I created an extensive course outline, with objectives, lessons and topic breakdowns. 

I then created a storyboard, working with the researchers to craft the content at an appropriate level for high school students. 

Final Product

After collecting feedback on the storyboard, I started designing the slides students would see. The EPA didn’t have a branding guide or set design style, so I focused on a green and blue color palette - a slightly more muted version of the colors in their logo. I used icons for complex concepts, and environmental imagery to highlight how these practices help the environment. 

Finally, I developed an instructor guide with additional background information on the content and extension activities.

Results

The final product was delivered to EPA’s ORD, and they planned to integrate it into their school visit curriculum in the next school year. While the EPA’s goal was to create a program that would teach students how to use the Stormwater Calculator, we also succeeded in sharing a more environment-forward approach to science education.