Fourth-grade students add “pollutants” to an enviroscape to simulate how pollutants enter local waterways. Photo provided.

News Release

WINONA LAKE — Lake Adventure Day lived up to its name as 605 fourth-grade students gathered in Winona Lake Limitless Park over two days last week. Students from 10 elementary schools explored scientific aspects of local lakes like erosion, watersheds and fish. Lake Adventure Day is a partnership between the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams and the Grace College School of Education.

Corwin B. is a local fourth-grader who attends Washington STEM Academy. Like many students his age, Corwin enjoys swimming in the lakes and looking for wildlife that inhabits them. However, Lake Adventure Day is an opportunity for Corwin to dive into lake science while on the shores of Winona Lake. He particularly enjoyed the lesson on pollution.

The lesson received an upgrade this year thanks to support from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. Three new “enviroscapes” helped students understand what a watershed is and how pollutants can affect local waterways. Sprinkles and other items represent pollutants; students use spray bottles to “make it rain” and then make observations about where those pollutants end up.

Senior students from the School of Education receive training from Lilly Center staff several weeks in advance. They receive instructions on using unique tools like sand tables, enviroscapes and fishing poles. During Lake Adventure Day, 20 senior students lead their lessons with the help of freshman college students.

Rachael Hoffert, elementary education chair, enjoys watching her students take their skills from the classroom to the lakeshore.

“Lake Adventure Day is a unique experience for our senior students to have hands-on teaching opportunities and develop their teaching craft throughout the day,” Hoffert said. “Our freshman students do a fantastic job assisting our seniors during the lessons. Plus, freshman students look forward to their turn teaching in a few years.”

The goal is to give future leaders like Corwin data and tools today that will equip them to make positive choices that impact local waterways for years to comes.

Lake Adventure Day is possible thanks to a collaboration with Warsaw Community Schools, Lakeland Christian Academy and Sacred Heart. Education programs like Lake Adventure Day are sponsored by The Papers, DePuy-Synthes, the city of Warsaw Stormwater Utility, Warren and August Hume Foundation and the Zimmer-Biomet Foundation.

Learn more about how the Lilly Center’s award-winning educational programs are teaching water literacy to the next generation by visiting lakes.grace.edu/education.