Practical Flood Education for Valley Ranch Students

Those of us who are parents have faced the repetitive question, “Why?”

While any reader who’s a child development or child psychology expert likely can provide the why for “Why?”, the rest of us often struggle for good responses.

Usually, there’s a better answer. Such is the case for why IFCD 3 participates in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education activities at Valley Ranch and Canyon Ranch elementary schools. Here’s the “why”!

At its core, flood control in the classroom provides another means for introducing a variety of STEM basics. Scientific fundamentals, such as electricity; fluid dynamics or flow; gravity and mechanics are central to making flood control work. Creating and nourishing student curiosity about the technology behind flood control facilities they see every day can plant seeds of interest for a journey to a professional-technical career.

From a practical, community point of view, understanding how flood control works, what can interfere with proper functionality of facilities and how that could impact family, nearby friends and neighbors helps create appreciation and understanding for the District’s assets. Handling trash properly, and respecting the levee and other flood control structures helps ensure uninterrupted availability of the system whenever it’s needed.

Exposure to flood control in the classroom can prompt student discussion in class and at home about IFCD 3, how the work of the District is carried out and who pays for flood control in Valley Ranch. This provides opportunities to take short breaks from STEM activities to touch on civics topics.

In late January and early February, third grade students at Canyon Ranch Elementary and second graders at Valley Ranch Elementary will have a new experience this year. Because many of these students are attending class virtually and those in a classroom are following strict COVID protocols, the introduction provided by IFCD 3 professionals is shifting from in-school to a live video chat originating from the IFCD 3 pumping station. The follow-up student projects have been restructured for individual work, either at-home or in-class. All supplies will be assembled into individual student kits by team members wearing PPE masks and gloves for cleanliness. Like so many other aspects of school, a pandemic isn’t stopping this program – only causing teachers and the District to rethink it for safety.

There may have been a time, not so very long ago, in which elementary students were urged on by the 3-Rs of reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic. Yet, in today’s complex world, students increasingly are gaining command of these skills by including STEM and other applied topics as an engaging backdrop against which basic skills are taught.

Have a general question about flood control or your Irving Flood Control District Section III? Let us know! Your query to IFCD 3 could become the topic of a future WaterWays blog.