FERRISBURGH — The 5th- and 6th-graders at Ferrisburgh Central School have been studying water through a science and a humanities lens. As a part of the study, the school started a service learning project of designing and decorating rain barrels that they are auctioning off to support a local watershed organization and their end of the year celebration.

Students worked in small groups to create the rain barrels in hopes that local families would purchase them and help support their goals. Each barrel has its own theme and message. One is called “Lake Champlain Shipwrecks,” another is “Fish Kingdom,” a third is “Sea the View.”

The rain barrels are made of recycled, food-grade, 50-gallon drums that were donated by Aqua ViTea in Middlebury. Paint was donated by student families. Students drilled and installed the spigots.

See the 12 barrels up for auction online here. The auction ends this coming Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 8 p.m.