Habitat
Seagrass collapse
Seagrass filters water and shelters marine life. Algae blooms shade the beds and weaken the food web.
Who we are
Meet the team behind the project.
Project: Save Our Lagoon is led by West Shore Jr./Sr. High School students for the Community Problem Solving competition in Future Problem Solving. Our early classroom work was also supported through Labs 4 Learning.
The project won 3rd place at the Future Problem Solving International Conference in Community Problem Solving.
We chose the Indian River Lagoon because it is part of daily life in Brevard County — fishing, boating, and school science lessons all connect back to the water.
156 miAlong Florida's Atlantic coast
5,300+Species of plants and animals
$7.6BTotal economic value
$33Returned per $1 restored
25%Public awareness of crisis
The problem
A lagoon under threat.
The Indian River Lagoon is one of North America's most biodiverse estuaries. Nutrient pollution from fertilizers and stormwater runoff fuels algae blooms that block sunlight, deplete oxygen, and collapse seagrass meadows essential to marine life.
Runoff
Nutrient pollution
Fertilizer runoff carries nitrogen and phosphorus into the lagoon and feeds harmful blooms.
Recovery
Slow flushing
The lagoon's narrow shape slows water exchange, which lets pollution linger and build.
Growing up in Brevard County, we have personally witnessed the decline of the Indian River Lagoon.Project: Save Our Lagoon
Activities like fishing, boating, and kayaking became less enjoyable as water quality worsened. That is why we started classroom lessons, household outreach, and student-made awareness materials.
Education
Lagoon presentations that stick.
The team introduced the Indian River Lagoon, explained nutrient pollution, and gave students concrete steps they could take at home. Students at both schools improved their understanding afterward.
Nitrogen testing
Students measured nitrogen in normal water and fertilizer-mixed water using test strips.
Awareness posters
Students made posters using what they learned, reinforcing the lesson visually.
Runoff simulation
The team modeled how rain moves nutrients from soil into nearby water bodies.
School newsletters
Newsletters summarized findings for classroom use and family conversations.
Materials
What we built for classrooms and outreach.
Lesson slides, demo instructions, quizzes, posters, and newsletters. Email us for copies.
Classroom
Lagoon presentation slides
Intro to the Indian River Lagoon, nutrient pollution, and steps students can take at home.
ScienceNitrogen test and runoff demo instructions
How we measured nitrogen in water samples and modeled fertilizer runoff.
AssessmentPre- and post-quiz
Questions we used to check whether students understood the lesson.
OutreachPosters and school newsletters
Student-made awareness materials shared in classrooms and online.
What we measured after the presentations.
Learning
Quiz gains
Students improved from pre-quiz to post-quiz after the presentations.
Reach
Two schools
Elementary classrooms in Brevard County took part in the early project work.
Recognition
3rd place internationally
Project: Save Our Lagoon won 3rd place at the Future Problem Solving International Conference in Community Problem Solving.
How to help
Protect the lagoon from home.
Small household habits matter because stormwater connects yards, roads, and drains to the lagoon.
Lawn care
Reduce fertilizer use
Use slow-release or fertilizer-free lawn care and avoid applying before rain.
Stormwater
Keep drains clear
Sweep clippings off driveways and sidewalks so debris stays out of storm drains.
Community
Spread awareness
Share lagoon facts and talk with neighbors about simple protective changes.
Connect
Get in touch.
Teachers, students, and community members can ask about classroom visits, project materials, or how to bring similar work to another school.
Meghana Geddam and Arya Kulkarni
Student leadership supporting chapter growth.
West Shore Jr./Sr. High School
Eshan Vipuil, Shriya Varada, Raaha Sellamuthu, Sidharth Patsamatla, and Joseph Konathapally.
Labs 4 Learning and Future Problem Solving
Program support for hands-on science and community problem solving.