Cedar Park 4th Graders Win Water-Pollution Prevention Contest

A group of fourth-grade classes at has won $500 for a water-pollution prevention project, which involved collecting leaves from Apple Valley residents to compost.

They'll receive their prize on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Freshwater Society, which sponsored the Work For Water Neighborhood Challenge.

Students learned that leaves and other yard waste contains phosphorous, which contribute to algae growth in lakes and rivers if they're washed into the water sources directly or via sewers, the release says.

The students operated a drop-off site for residents' leaves on Oct. 24 and 25 and on Nov. 14, according to the release.

Monica Foss, the Cedar Park engineering teacher who entered the classes in the competition, said part of the prize money will go toward buying water-testing equipment, and another portion to creating a video about the students' project and pollution-reduction efforts, the release says.

Cedar Park was one of three winning groups, the release said. Other winners included students in a confirmation program at Christ Lutheran Church in Blaine, and the East Side Boys & Girls Club in St. Cloud.

“This contest was about challenging Minnesotans to take the lead in reducing urban run-off and protecting our lakes and rivers,” said Peggy Knapp, director of programs at the Freshwater Society, in the release.