Sumter schools: Decorate a rain barrel and enter Earth Day competition

Published: February 27, 2013

SUMTER — Teachers and students at Sumter-area schools: It’s time to get creative and compete with neighboring schools by designing a rain barrel that celebrates Earth Day 2013.

The Sumter Earth Day Rain Barrel Art Competition engages students in hands-on learning as they combine their creativity with knowledge about protecting the environment. The most popular rain barrel design will win a pizza party for the class.

This competition is open to all public and private elementary, middle and high schools in Sumter County. Only one barrel may be entered per class. Multiple classes per school may enter.

To participate, and for detailed instructions, download the flyer. Complete the entry form and sign the commitment statement. Submit completed forms to the address on the form by March 22.

A barrel and materials will be delivered to each participating school. Students must complete all artwork, but teachers may assist applying primer and sealant. Take the completed rain barrel to the Sumter Earth Day Celebration April 20 at Swan Lake to be entered in the competition.

Rain barrels utilize an age-old concept of reusing rainwater to irrigate gardens and lawns, water plants and wash cars, among many other uses.

A 1,000-square-foot roof catches more than 600 gallons of water from just an inch of rainfall. Rain barrels are good for the environment because they reduce stormwater flow, which causes erosion and can carry pollutants from yards and streets into streams.

Completed barrels can be installed at participating schools or can be donated to a public facility, such as a library. The barrels also can be donated to Sumter Stormwater Solutions for auction during the Sumter Earth Day celebration. Proceeds from the auction will be used for continued water-quality outreach programs.

The completion is sponsored by Clemson Extension, Carolina Clear, Sumter Stormwater Solutions, Sumter County and the city of Sumter.

Sumter Stormwater Solutions is a regional collaboration involving the Carolina Clear program in partnership with communities and educators from universities, state agencies and nonprofits.

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Carolina Clear
Carolina Clear is a stormwater education and awareness program of the Clemson University Restoration Institute and the Center for Watershed Excellence. The program’s goal is to minimize polluted stormwater runoff by educating the general public, youth, builders, developers, homeowners and government officials about how they can keep water in the state’s streams, rivers and basins as clean as possible.

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