Winners of the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) sponsored “Nip Nutrient Pollution” TiskTask Challenge were announced today. The first annual TiskTask Design Showcase was hosted by the Thomasville Center for the Arts. After months of research, interviews, and exploration of the topic of nutrient pollution, students worked to develop their own solutions to address the problem in their community.
“The level of engagement with my sixth graders was unbelievable,” said Washington Middle School Science Teacher Angel Ponder, whose students solved the challenge sponsored by Flint River SWCD. “They really cared because they were able to see the real-world application. It was really easy to tie this into the interest around Grady County’s new Tired Creek Lake,” Ponder said.
Ponder paired up with her school’s English Language Arts teacher to help students to prepare solutions, which included a written interview with an expert, a 3-D prototype, and an explainer video of their solution.
Students at Washington Middle work on their Nip Nutrient Pollution challenge.
Their work in preparing students resulted in Washington MIddle School taking home first and third prize for their challenge. The winning team proposed a “Tiger Filter,” a floating tree that absorbs harmful nutrients from the water. Nicholas Connell from MPMS Scholars Academy impressed the judges with his solution for a buffer zone around agricultural areas in Thomas County.
“The mission of the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District includes educating and empowering our community on stewardship efforts and conservation of our natural resources,” said Abby Davis, Education and Outreach Coordinator for Flint River SWCD. “Participating in the TiskTask Showcase has allowed us to further that mission by reaching more students within the District and engaging them in a hands-on way to address real-world issues of water quality and the impact of nutrient pollution on our environment.”
Winners were announced digitally on May 7, and will be shared using #tisktask.
3D model of a challenge solution, the Aqua Cleanser 2.0, concept developed by students at Washington Middle.
“Despite COVID forcing us to cancel our in-person showcase which brings students together with our business leaders to discuss the challenges and solutions, we think it’s important to recognize the work of these students,” said Katie Chastain, TiskTask founder and Thomasville Center for the Arts Director of Education.
The Flint River SWCD was one of several local organizations to sponsor a challenge in the showcase, other sponsors included TC Federal, Grassroots Coffee, Southlife Supply Company, Sweet Grass Dairy, Archbold Hospital, and Thomasville Center for the Arts. In total 226 students from seven area schools competed to solve problems presented by local businesses and organizations. Over $750 in cash and prizes was awarded to students for solving challenges.
Student solutions will be shared on social media (#tisktask) and student winners, along with their teachers, will be invited to private ZOOM meetings with the business owners to share solutions and network virtually.
TiskTask Design Showcase Winners
Challenge: Nip Nutrient Pollution, sponsored by Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District
Winners: Izzy Wells, Zeythan Johnson, Sanya Willis, and Ian Spires of Washington Middle School (First Place); Gracie Strickland, Ellie Godwin, and Lana Walker of Brookwood School (Second Place); and Kathrine Bostick, Kendra Sims, Lauren Morgan, and Julio Matias-Perez of Washington Middle School (Third Place).
Learn more about TiskTask by visiting https://www.tisktask.org.