More than 700 West Michigan students will join Friday in a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the critical need for water education. The initiative will involve simultaneous day-long water festivals September 22, in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Northern Mariana Islands. The events will celebrate the role of water in our lives and will teach children about the science and the history of water, one of our most important natural resources.
The national effort, titled Make a Splash with Project WET, is being organized by Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), an international, interdisciplinary, water science and education program for formal and non-formal educators of K-12 students, with support from The Perrier Group of America. The local water festival is being organized by the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University (the Michigan Project WET sponsor), and will take place at Heritage Landing in Muskegon at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This is an unprecedented effort to raise awareness about the critical role that water plays in our everyday lives, said Project WET Executive Director Dennis Nelson. The games and activities are fun for the children ¿ but the topic is a serious and important one. Water is a precious resource, not only from a scientific or environmental standpoint, but also economically, culturally and historically. The water festivals expose children to this subject in a way that both complements and reinforces traditional classroom learning.
The Make a Splash with Project WET water festivals taking place around the country today will consist of structured learning stations and exhibits where students actively engage in hands-on water activities and investigations. Station topics include the hydrologic cycle, ground water, spring water, water quality, water management, water conservation, living history and much more. We're proud to be representing Michigan in this effort, said Janet Vail, Michigan Project WET coordinator. These children will one day be the stewards of our water resources. This event will help give them an appreciation for what that responsibility means, and just how important it is.
