GSI - Week 3 Recap

The first week of April was packed with powerful learning experiences, team-building, and hands-on exploration for our Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Scholars. From diving deep into personal identity to stepping into the world of environmental stewardship, our Scholars walked away with new insights and stronger connections to each other—and to the work that lies ahead.

April 1 – DEI Training & Building Respectful Culture

We kicked off the week with an impactful conversation on diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultivating a respectful culture—both in the workplace and in everyday life. Led by Palmer Scholars staff Janieka and Brooke, the session encouraged Scholars to reflect on their personal identities through the Iceberg Game 🧊. Each Scholar described parts of themselves that lie “below the surface,” then visited one another’s icebergs to add affirming and uplifting words. It was a beautiful exercise in vulnerability and appreciation that reminded us how much we all have in common. A perfect way to strengthen our team bond! 💬

April 2 – Classroom Learning at Clover Park Technical College

The momentum continued with a dynamic classroom session at Clover Park Technical College, led by Shauna and Kirsti from the City of Tacoma. Scholars were introduced to the fundamentals of stormwater and green infrastructure 🌍. They explored how GSI can create healthier communities by improving stormwater management, enhancing water quality, and preventing flooding. It was inspiring to learn how this work supports both the environment and community well-being. 🌱

April 3 – Fieldwork, Career Exploration & A Boat Tour

The week wrapped up with an exciting day in the field! Shauna and Kirsti took the Scholars on a tour through the University of Washington Tacoma to inspect a bioretention facility. Here, Scholars got hands-on experience maintaining the site and learning about careers in grounds maintenance, inspection, and the city government hiring process 🏙️. Big thanks to Hannah, Malachi, and Chad for joining us and sharing their insights!

Later that day, the Scholars embarked on a boat tour with Stefanie from Communities for a Healthy Bay. Cruising through the Tacoma Harbor, they learned about the organization’s mission to protect and restore Puget Sound. Discussions covered pollution reduction, water quality, and the health of the bay ecosystem. There were even a few exciting firsts—Isaiah got to steer the boat 🚤 and Kyarra enjoyed her first-ever boat ride! 🌊