Here is how the project went:
The AEHS Interact Club together with Kindness-Heals Village chose to take on a storm drain art project after identifying a major community need: a lack of awareness about stormwater pollution. Most residents didn’t realize that everything entering storm drains flows directly into our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay, impacting marine life and water quality. As a student-led service club, we saw this as an opportunity to combine environmental education, creativity, and community engagement. We planned and painted colorful murals around storm drains near a busy roads. The murals featured messages like “Only Rain Down the Drain” and “Drains to Bay – Save the Oceans,” surrounded by playful art including jellyfish, turtles, crabs, fish, and flowers.
Through this project I/we learned:
We learned that art can be a powerful tool for education and change, that youth voices matter, and that even small actions—like painting a storm drain—can spark meaningful conversations, build community connections, and inspire environmental responsibility.
What I/we might change:
Next time, we would start earlier in the season and consider adding flyers or QR codes for continued learning.
My/our favorite part of this project was:
During painting days, many neighbors stopped to talk, ask questions, and thank the students—many sharing that they never knew about the impact of stormwater runoff. The project sparked environmental awareness, built intergenerational connections, and empowered students as leaders.
Some tips, tricks or fun facts about the project:
This project showed us how creativity and community can turn overlooked infrastructure into powerful tools for education and change.
