New Orleans Students Tackle Flooding Challenges with Hands-On Learning

At Livingston Collegiate Academy in New Orleans East, ninth-grade students recently confronted the city’s persistent flooding issues through an interactive science lesson. During a hands-on lab, they simulated New Orleans’ drainage system using syringes to represent pumps, attempting to prevent a model neighborhood from being inundated by water. This exercise, led by science teacher Deandria Barnes, illustrated the challenges of the city’s drainage network, which is often overwhelmed during heavy rainfall.

The students engaged with a plastic tub rigged to mimic the complex network of underground pipes and pump stations that drain rainwater from the city. When the simulation began, water quickly began to leak, and when the “heavy rain” scenario was activated, the system failed almost immediately. “It’s overflowing!” one student exclaimed as the water spilled into the simulated neighborhoods.

This innovative lesson is part of an environmental science curriculum developed by the nonprofit organization Ripple Effect. Led by executive director Claire Anderson, the program aims to educate students about critical topics such as levees, coastal erosion, and the impact of human activity on the Gulf of Mexico. Anderson, who started the initiative in 2013, hopes to expand this hands-on curriculum to more high schools across Louisiana.

Despite the valuable learning experience, Ripple Effect has faced significant funding challenges, losing nearly $1.9 million due to federal budget cuts. Federal grants from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, as well as the National Science Foundation, had previously supported the program. However, funding targeted at environmental justice initiatives was reduced during the Trump administration.

Anderson remains optimistic about the program’s future, stating, “The loss of funding will not sink our organization. We’ve got a great board, and we’ve got reserves.” She expressed a desire to incorporate field trips into the curriculum, allowing students to experience real-world scientific research.

Understanding the mechanics of flooding is particularly relevant for students in a city where much of the land is below sea level. Many students, including Cornell Jackson, 14, have experienced flooding firsthand. “Not even from a hurricane, just a rainstorm,” Jackson recounted, noting that water infiltrated his home from unexpected sources. He now understands the complex systems at play in flood prevention.

Classmate Vaniette Smart, 15, shared her newfound awareness of storm drains, stating, “I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, this could really cause flooding,’ and I just investigate every time I walk.” The curriculum has sparked interest in environmental issues, with students eagerly discussing the implications of their findings.

The interactive model also prompted discussions that reflected real-world challenges facing New Orleans. After the simulated pumps failed, Barnes guided her students in analyzing what went wrong. Responses varied from “too much water” to “not enough pump capacity,” demonstrating their grasp of the city’s drainage dilemmas. One student noted that despite spending $14.6 billion on system upgrades, further improvements are still necessary.

Barnes encourages her students to explore the contradictions inherent in the flood control systems. “That’s when they’re really like, ‘Hold on. Wait a minute,’” she said, referring to the lively debates that emerge during lessons. Students like Kassidy Johnson, 14, have realized how flood control measures can create additional problems, such as coastal erosion caused by levees that trap sediment.

The curriculum not only empowers students to understand their environment but also inspires them to contemplate solutions to the complex issues facing their city. As they engage with the material, these young learners are increasingly aware of the broader implications of their studies. “Everything that was an advantage to our city became a disadvantage,” Johnson summarized, reflecting the nuanced understanding they are gaining through this innovative educational approach.

Overall, the initiative at Livingston Collegiate Academy exemplifies the potential of hands-on learning to address pressing environmental issues while preparing students to become informed citizens. Through programs like Ripple Effect, New Orleans students are not only learning about their city’s unique challenges but also developing the analytical skills necessary to navigate and address them in the future.