Our group has divided our project into several main aspects. The first aspect involves the installation of two drainage pipes on the eastern-most side of Whitehead Hall that will lead rainwater down into a series of rainwater storage barrels. The liquid stored in these rain barrels will be used to water a rain garden that will be planted just a few feet from the barrels in the grass patch outside of Whitehead Hall.

The second aspect of our project involves the addition of 18-inch metal pinwheels to the side of Whitehead Hall. These pinwheels will be in the pathways of the downspouts. As water flows down the building, it will spin the pinwheels, which will in turn spin small motors on the side of Whitehead Hall. These motors will be hooked up to small battery chargers that can charge a variety of objects (rechargeable golf cart batteries, small electronic devices, etc.).

The third aspect of our project focuses on the creation of the rain garden next to the rainwater storage tanks. This garden will feature a variety of plants native to the New York area that are beneficial in a rain garden setting. It will also have a variety of other positive effects including: One, pollination support for local birds and insects (Monarch butterflies in particular), Two, the beautification of the eastern-most side of the Brooklyn College campus, and Three, the provision of a peaceful and aesthetically-pleasing backdrop for the children and adult teachers and supervisors in the Early Childhood Center’s playground area.

The fourth and final aspect of our project focuses on the sidewalk areas of Campus Road (from James Hall to Whitehead Hall). The outside areas of these sidewalks (where grass would normally be found) have been covered with concrete tiles, and some sections are inaccessible due to dead tree stumps being in the way. Our group will remove this concrete tiling and replace it with grass patches and various plants. We will also remove the dead tree stumps and replace them with new baby trees. This will provide a larger space for rainwater to be collected on sidewalks, and the collected rainwater will encourage the growth of newly planted grass and trees.