Autumn 2020 California Project WET Gazette
Volume XXV, Issue IV
Exploring the World in a Digital Landscape
What a year this has been. Even before the shock of a how to function in a global pandemic has worn off, questions of how to deal with the virus, how education should be conducted this fall and how we deal with racial and social inequities in our society have boiled over on our streets and media streams.
Add to the mix extreme temperatures, fires raging throughout the state and concerns about what the fall flu season will bring and you may be considering the life of solitude as a monk. But as any of us who have taught is well aware, the events that grab headlines and social media feeds are also opportunities to engage students learning – and the coming fall season is loaded with opportunities to not just engage students using the events in the news, but to also take advantage of learning inside and outside of the home.
Disasters Waiting to Happen. September is disaster preparedness month. The Project WET activity, ‘My Water Address, Take Action!’ (p: 433) has students analyzing unique characteristics of where they live in relation to natural hazards. Through a combination of personal observations outside their own door and use of a program like Google Maps or Google Earth, students can find out where their home is in relation to local water bodies, dry stream and flood control channels and within the topography of the area.
The Project WET activity focuses on flood risk but the information students gather can be used to assess risk from other California natural hazards, which students can learn about through the California Office of Emergency Services website ‘My Hazards Map.’ Unlike news stories that leave one hanging in the land of doom, the Project WET activity has students using the knowledge gained of the local hazards to create a home action plan and prepare a ready-to-go emergency pack.
Only the choice of potential safety measures and exit routes may change if the activity is extended to include a look at other hazards besides just flooding, which could lead to lesson in and of itself. Other Project WET activities to consider combining with ‘My Water Address, Take Action!’ include students learning how to map their watershed in ‘Seeing Watersheds’ (p: 187) or researching the history of water-related natural disasters in their area in ‘Nature Rules’ (p: 277).
Watersheds to the Sea. September is also Coastal Cleanup Month. Since large amounts of the trash that ends up on coastal beaches and in marine environments comes from inland areas and gathering in large crowds remains a problem, the California Coastal Commission is asking citizens of all ages to clean up our yards or neighborhoods. Those doing a cleanup can use the CleanSwell app to easily record what they collect and the data will instantaneously upload to Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database. Researchers and policymakers utilize this citizen science data as a global snapshot of trash in the environment as they develop solutions.
Even if only a few students in the class are able to do a cleanup, the data they gather can be integrated into the Project WET activity ‘There Is No Away’ (p: 453) using images of what was collected. The activity has students categorizing and measuring what was thrown away and exploring how the trash collected could have ended up in local waterways flowing to the ocean. Students apply what they learn in the activity and language arts skills to develop a public service announcement on the impact of trash getting into local waterways.
The Project WET activity ‘Rainy Day Hike’ (p: 169) provides a perfect bridge to help students and parents link the flow of water and pollutants from their residence to the larger watershed and the trash found in the ocean garbage patches and collected by past coastal cleanup events. It also requires students to be outside mapping how they think water flows from their home across the surrounding landscape to the nearest storm drain or waterway.
The maps could be a simple sketch to using Google Maps or other programs for a digital view of home to students measuring distances and applying scaling techniques to their home water flow maps. Students are also adding evidence on why they think water will flow in the directions they show and how other features of the landscape will influence that flow in the next storm. ‘Rainy Day Hike’ is a ‘two-fer’ as the next storm will have students going out to compare their map predictions to how the water actually flows and looking for evidence of what the water may have carried from their home landscape.
‘Rainy Day Hike’ helps identify runoff and pollution problems from a single property – and has been used to generate student-led projects to correct runoff problems on school campuses. But one could follow up ‘Rainy Day Hike’ with the activity ‘Sum of the Parts’ (p: 283) and have older students map the homes and businesses along their street rather than creating imaginary properties as the activity is written. It would have students applying what they learned in ‘Rainy Day Hike’ to identify potential point and non-point source pollutants on a neighborhood scale – and develop a more sophisticated PSA aimed at convincing neighbors to help reduce pollutants running off from their neighborhood.
Change in the Weather. These early weeks of school before fall officially begins are a wonderful time for teachers in younger grades to consider using ‘A House of Seasons’ (Portal). It is an art activity that helps assess student thoughts on weather, water and states of matter by season. It is a great activity to kick off a school-year project on collecting weather data and using the data they collect throughout the year to reflect back on any misconceptions they had in their ‘House of Seasons’ throughout the year.
Simulate the sounds of ‘The Thunderstorm’ (p: 209) online and then have students make their own rain gauges for the next storm. The K-2 Option for ‘Rainy Day Hike’ has students engineering small boats, then following the flow of water across a yard or from their home to storm drain (with parent supervision!). Boats can be made from common items around the house including milk cartons, corks, walnut shells or other natural materials.
The proverbs in the activity ‘Raining Cats & Dogs’ (p: 521) can be explored together or in breakout groups. Students can also analyze a variety of sayings from around the world to determine the climate in which they originated. They can then work in groups or at home to create proverbs cards of their own from the list provided in the activity. ‘Fashion a Flake’ with younger grades as part of ‘Water Inspirations’ (p: 541) to explore water states of matter, while teachers in older grades can use the activity to have students explore the role of water in literature, poetry and art.
Germ Busters! Cooling fall temperatures brings concerns of a new flu season and a potential resurgence of covid-19. Project WET activities like ‘Germ Busters’ (p: 57) help students learn thorough hand washing technique, a tune to help them remember it after class and can be done as a guided distance-learning activity.
For those using Zoom, a new feature will allow students to travel between breakout rooms. The tag game looking at how diseases spread in ‘Healthy Habits’ (p: 63) can then be done by designating one student as ‘the super spreader,’ giving students time to travel between rooms recording who they talk with in each then revealing who in the room had contact with the unknown ‘super spreader.’ One could easily extend this version of the activity to challenge students to pool their contact data and see if they can identify who was spreading the illness.
The new Zoom feature will also be handy for replicating Dr. John Snow’s work to identify the source of cholera in 1854 London that is the basis for ‘Poison Pump’ (p: 107). Break students into teams of three or four with a dedicated recorder, mapper and 1 or 2 sleuths. The recorder and mappers are educated citizens who are terrified of getting cholera and will remain in their breakout ‘office’ and have hired the sleuths to do the work of gathering evidence. The sleuths are not able to read or write, so must verbally report what they learn to their recorder and mapper. Give each room victim card information to share to get things going, then wander the rooms yourself after 5 or 10 minutes and have some fun adding information from the clue cards.
We the People. The U.S. Constitution became the legal foundation of our government in 1789; yet, if one listens close to the current issues in the news, much of the debate remains focused on questions of who is included in ‘We the People,’ our rights as citizens and how far can government go to ‘establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.’
‘Water Bill of Rights’ (Portal) is an original Project WET guide activity that begins with students reviewing the Bill of Rights, but I’d suggest starting with reading the Constitution first. One because it may do us all some good this fall to re-read the Constitution to better understand what the Constitution does and does not do before the November election. And two, it provides an important context for the next questions in the activity on why there is a Bill of Rights and what our lives might be like without it.
Within these first 10 Amendments are the right to free speech, religion, assembly and freedom of the press; a protection against unfair search and seizure; a right to due process under the law and a clear statement that powers not delegated to the federal government in the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. Think how the lack of any of these rights would affect our current events.
‘Water Bill of Rights’ has students consider if water should be considered a basic right of citizens and what would they include in a water-focused bill of rights. Our state already has a law recognizing water as a human right, but an estimated 1 million Californians and citizens throughout our country are living with limited to no access to safe water.
I’ve included a number of links to explore this issue of water equity in the ‘Websites of Interest.’ In addition, other WET activities to consider pairing with ‘Water Bill of Rights’ to explore issues of equity are ‘Pass the Jug’ (p: 447) and ‘Choices & Preferences, Water Index,’ ‘Water Court,’ ‘Water: Read All About It’ and ‘Whose Problem Is It?’ from Guide 1.0 and available on the Project WET Portal.
“The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy.” – Benjamin Franklin, Emblematical Representations, ca. 1774
The intent of this article is to hopefully provide a broad range of ideas on WET activities to use online in the hope there is something for any grade level to use in this challenging time. Please see the Websites of Interest for content and more ideas to use with the activities highlighted above. You’ll also find a list of potential Grants to pursue and Student Contests.
Most of the Autumn Events this year will be online, but I’ve seen a sneak preview and am quite intrigued to see what the California Association of Science Educators conference will be like. Lastly, check out the upcoming Professional Development Opportunities and please consider sharing a Project WET training with colleagues or joining in a training yourself. I wish everyone the best as we forge ahead into autumn!
“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.” - Abraham Lincoln
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
California Project WET Workshops
Join us this fall for new Project WET workshop experiences! Our volunteer facilitators have been hard at work figuring out the new environment we are all working in and designing workshops that continue to support the work of educators through fun professional development experiences. Workshops this fall will feature a mix of ‘live’ online, go-at-your-own-pace online training and at least one session hoping to include a socially distanced field experience as virus conditions allow.
Watersheds to the Sea Workshops
Join us this fall for an exploration of the connections between inland watershed issues and impacts to coastal and marine ecosystems using Project WET activities. The workshops also include a focus on practices and skills at the heart of NGSS and Common Core standards and local opportunities to engage students in citizen science and stewardship experiences – even in a time of covid. Join us in Sacramento, Shasta, Riverside and other county regions – online – this fall!
Caring for Our Watersheds – Teacher Workshop
The California Caring for Our Watersheds is currently open to all 9th-12th grade students who live in the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed counties of Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, Colusa, Yuba, Sutter, Glenn, El Dorado, Placer, and San Joaquin counties. Students are asked to submit proposals that answer the question: “What can you do to improve your watershed?” A teacher workshop is being planned for this Fall. Please check our website for updates or contact Beth Del Real at Center for Land-Based Learning for more information.
Project Learning Tree Workshops
Infuse your education program or classroom instruction with experiential, interdisciplinary activities from PLT. Our education materials are designed to meet the common components of national education reform by using the constructivist approach to learning, cooperative learning, problem solving, whole language teaching and authentic assessments. Click here to see all the resources we have available!
Classroom Aquarium Education Program
The Classroom Aquarium and Education Program (CAEP) is an excellent way to engage K-12 students by raising native fish in your classroom. CAEP fosters stewardship of natural resources by relating the effects of human activities on native fish in your local watershed. A training workshop is mandatory for all new teachers and teachers who haven’t participated in the program for the past 3 years or more. Click on this link to find your region then information on 2020 - 2021 training workshops..
California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI)
The EEI Curriculum is 85 K-12 grade units that teach standards through an environmental lens, including understanding resources, conservation, where our food, energy and water come from, and complicated decision-making processes related to climate change, green chemistry and use of our public lands. California examples make learning relevant and stimulate student involvement with the world around them.
California Environmental Education Interagency Network (CEEIN)
The California Environmental Education Interagency Network (CEEIN) is a consortium of environmental educators representing state departments and partner organizations. CEEIN provides a forum for members to share resources, programs and materials with California schools and students of all ages. Educators can find professional learning experiences and participatory stewardship opportunities in environmental education and environmental literacy on CEEIN’s online calendar of events.
WEBSITES OF INTEREST
Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today. Whether you’re a kid or teen yourself, a parent or loved one, or work with youth, Ready Kids has tools and information to help before, during and after disasters. Click here for additional information on how students can participate and pair use of this site with the activity ‘My Water Address, Take Action!’
Natural hazards are part of living in California. Use this website to discover the hazards that exist in your area and learn how to reduce YOUR risk! The best way to recover from disasters is by reducing the risks before a disaster strikes. Having a preparedness kit will help you weather the days after a disaster, but did you know there are steps you can take that may actually reduce the risks of injuries to you and your neighbors and lessen the damage to your home?
A cornerstone of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program, The National Map is a collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation. It has many uses ranging from recreation to scientific analysis to emergency response – and for use in generating local maps to use with Project WET activities like ‘Seeing Watersheds!’
How’s My Waterway was designed to provide the general public with information about the condition of their local waters based on data that states, federal, tribal, local agencies and others have provided to EPA. Water quality information is displayed on 3 scales in How’s My Waterway; community, state and national. Another great website to use with the activity ‘Seeing Watersheds’ or any of the Project WET activities tied to stream water quality.
Article: ‘Legislature narrowly rejects nation’s toughest restrictions on plastics’
A measure requiring manufacturers to reduce single-use plastics in landfills fails to win over Republicans and moderate Democrats. The plastics industry had waged a multi-million dollar campaign to defeat the identical Assembly and Senate bills, which would have called for a 75 percent reduction in single-use plastic packaging, utensils, straws, containers and other food ware dumped into landfills. Had they passed, these products would have to be completely recyclable or compostable by 2032 to be sold in California, in stores or online.
Article: ‘How To Do A Beach Cleanup (While Practicing Physical Distancing)’
Nearly 80 percent of pollution in our marine environment comes from the land. Runoff from storm drains flows out to the Pacific Ocean causing the majority of local ocean pollution. By removing tons of pollution from neighborhoods and parks, in addition to beaches and waterways, cleanup participants reduce blight, protect animals, and boost the regional economy. Here are helpful instructions on how to do a cleanup.
Join a global movement to keep beaches, waterways and the ocean trash free. With Clean Swell, simply “Start Collecting” trash wherever you are around the world and the data you collect will instantaneously upload to Ocean Conservancy’s global ocean trash database. The data creates a global snapshot of trash that can or has entered waterways and the ocean. Integrate use of student generated data from this app and a cleanup with the Project WET activity ‘There Is No Away.’
Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) is a nonprofit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages working together to measure and map precipitation. The only requirements to join are an enthusiasm for watching and reporting weather conditions and a desire to learn more about how weather can affect and impact our lives. Wonderful program to integrate with the Project WET activity ‘The Thunderstorm.’
My 1st graders are working on these fun boats now to go along with their explorer unit. Okay, I know they are not really explorer ships, but we can pretend, right? And they are so fun and cute. The kids love them! Learn how to make a milk carton boat or boats made from corks, walnut shells or boats made from leaves, twigs or other natural materials.
Article: ‘The Fourth Battle for the Constitution’
The latest struggle to define America’s founding charter will define the country for generations to come. This is not the first battle over the Constitution in American history, but the fourth. All four battles have concerned the nature and scope of federal power in balancing the values declared to be self-evident in the Declaration of Independence: liberty, equality and popular sovereignty.
CBS Video: ‘Americans Without Water’
The simple act of hand-washing became the first line of defense against the spread of the coronavirus. But millions of Americans have had to live through this pandemic with no safe running water, or even plumbing, in their homes. Join CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Lee Cowan and DigDeep’s staff and partners on a journey around the U.S. to explore solutions for the 2.2 million Americans who still don’t have a tap or a toilet at home. Potential resource to use with the ‘Water Bill of Rights’ activity.
A human rights nonprofit working to ensure that every American has clean, running water forever. While most Americans take running water completely for granted, more than 2.2 million Americans still don’t have running water or basic plumbing, like a flush toilet. Another 44 million more don’t have clean water that’s safe to drink. We know, because we did the math.
The term equity refers to just and fair inclusion—a condition in which everyone has an opportunity to participate and prosper. At the US Water Alliance we believe that water equity occurs when all communities: Have access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water and wastewater services; share in the economic, social and environmental benefits of water systems; and are resilient to floods, drought and other climate risks.
Water Education Foundation: Water Equity
More than 1 million Californians are affected by unsafe or unreliable sources of water for cooking, drinking and bathing. They can lose access to water supplies when their wells run dry, especially during drought when groundwater is relied on more heavily and the water table drops. Employment disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic can impair their ability to pay water bills on time. Communities of color are most often burdened by these challenges. Click here to find information and resources on efforts to seek water equity.
Article: ‘For Californians Without Water Access, Coronavirus Adds Another Layer of Struggle’
Lucy Hernandez knew something was wrong when she arrived at a Walmart store in Visalia shortly before Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. On the normally well-stocked shelves, Hernandez couldn’t find bottled water. Alarmed, she jumped back in her car and headed to Costco, the 99 Cents Only store, the Dollar Tree and Target. No water. Desperate, Hernandez drove 20 miles to Hanford, but still couldn’t find water for sale.
The California Department of Water Resources provides a variety of resources to K-12 educators – including parents – to encourage water education in and out of the classroom. Our free supplementary materials can be used to help learn about California’s diverse water resources. Additional resources including links to real-time data, online games, and local agency programs are also available on our website. Check out our ‘Water Wednesdays’ You Tube page for recording of our weekly conversations with DWR researchers on a range of water topics.
Tap into over 140 years of U.S. Geological Survey research in the natural sciences in the form of activities, maps, podcasts, online lectures, videos and more. Browse thousands of ideas for using these resources in elementary, secondary, university and informal education settings. Don’t forget to checkout the USGS Water Science School loaded with great material for use with multiple Project WET activities!
AUTUMN EVENTS
September 1 – 30, 2020: California Coastal Cleanup Month
Help clean the beach by picking up litter in your community! Trash travels through storm drains, creeks and rivers to become beach and ocean pollution. For safety reasons, we are asking everyone to clean your neighborhoods, local parks, streets and storm drains for this year’s Coastal Cleanup. Report your cleanup to your local coordinator and/or record it on the CleanSwell app during September and your data will be included as part of Coastal Cleanup Month.
September 1 – 30, 2020: National Preparedness Month
This September, as part of National Preparedness Month, the Red Cross encourages all Americans to develop a family game plan. How prepared are you? Check out the tips and resources on our website for important information you can use to protect yourself, your family and property. Preparedness is a responsibility we all share. Let’s do our part!
September 25-26, 2020: California Ag in the Classroom Conference
Join us for a Virtual AgVentura! From strawberries to avocados and lemons, we will explore Ventura County agriculture virtually! Learn about the importance of educating our youth about food and fiber through all subject areas with a focus on the distance-learning environment. We look forward to seeing you. Registration is Free! Click here to register today!
September 26, 2020: National Public Lands Day
This year, due to social distancing requirements, we will include virtual events designed to connect the public to iconic parks, national forests, marine estuaries, and other public lands sites. This does not mean we are abandoning in-person events. Public land sites that wish to host in-person events—in accordance with local rules and regulations regarding COVID-19—will still be able to register their event. For more information, check out: http://www.publiclandsday.org/
September 26, 2020: Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
Celebrate National Public Lands Day with free entrance to a local National Park! If you take part in a National Public Lands Day volunteer work project, you will receive a fee-free day coupon to be used on a future date. See the list of National Public Lands Day events on our website: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm
October 11 - 17, 2020: Earth Science Week 2020
“Earth Materials in Our Lives.” is this year’s theme, emphasizing all the ways that Earth materials impact humans — and the ways human activity impacts these materials — in the 21st century. The theme will engage people of all ages in exploring the relationship between Earth materials and people and help promote public understanding of geoscience and stewardship of the planet, especially in terms of these raw materials.
October 16 – 18, 2020: California Science Education Conference
We’re Going Virtual and WE CAN’T WAIT! The decision to make this move is one that we have taken seriously and is based in science and the utmost safety for our attendees, presenters, exhibitors, and all those working to bring the conference together. Please visit our website to see more information on speakers and presenters, the structure of the overall conference, and great ways that you can become involved in the lead up, during the event and beyond!
November 11, 2020: National Parks Free Entrance Day
Many national parks have direct connections to the American military—there are dozens of battlefields, military parks and historic sites that commemorate and honor the service of American veterans. In addition, every national park is part of our collective identity that defines who we are and where we came from as a nation.The National Park Service invites all visitors to remember our veterans by visiting any National Park Service site for free on Veterans Day.
December 11 – 13, 2020: California STEAM Symposium
The 2020 California STEAM Symposium is moving online! To best serve your needs, we are convening the same great Symposium you know and love in a virtual venue. Mark December on your calendar for another wonderful year of inspiration, collaboration, and professional learning. No longer limited by travel, connect with colleagues across California, the US and the world.
SCHOOL, CLASSROOM & TEACHER GRANTS
Fund for Teachers - Application Period Opens: October 1, 2020
Fund for Teachers strengthens instruction by investing in outstanding teachers’ self-determined professional growth and development in order to support student success, enrich their own practice, and strengthen their schools and communities. The 2021 application will open on October 1, 2020.
Literacy for Life Grants - Due: October 1, 2020
Literacy for Life grants are designed to help initiate new projects or expand existing ones that promote agricultural literacy. Grants of up to $500 are provided to California K-12 educators to support integration of agriculture into regular classroom instruction. Explore the list of project ideas and read how previous recipients have used this funding to improve agricultural learning opportunities on their campuses.
Toshiba America Foundation (K-5) Grant – Due: October 1, 2020
Do you have an innovative idea for improving math or science instruction in your classroom? Is your idea project-based learning with measurable outcomes? What do you need to make learning math and science fun for your students? K-5 grade teachers are invited to apply online for a $1,000 Toshiba America Foundation grant to help bring an innovative hands-on project into their own classroom.
NCT Mathematics Grants - Deadline: November 1, 2020
Apply for National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Education trust grants, scholarships and awards. Funding ranges from $1,500 to $24,000 and is available to help math teachers, prospective teachers and other math educators improve the teaching and learning of mathematics. Click here to see a list of mathematic educator grants with November 1, 2020 application deadlines.
Toshiba America Foundation (6-12) Grant – Due: November 1, 2020
Wanted: Classroom Innovators! Toshiba America Foundation accepts applications from teachers who are passionate about making science and mathematics more engaging for their students. Grade 6-12 Grant requests for $5,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis, throughout the calendar year. Grant requests for $5,000 or more are accepted and reviewed.
WHALE TAIL® Grants - Due: November 2021
WHALE TAIL® grants support experiential education and stewardship of the California coast and its watersheds. Shoreline cleanup and coastal habitat restoration projects that have an educational component are also eligible for these grants. WHALE TAIL® grants focus on reaching poorly served communities in terms of marine and coastal education, and strive for a broad geographic distribution throughout California. The next round of WHALE TAIL® Grants will open in fall 2021.
Walmart Community Grant Program - Due: December 31, 2020
Our local community grants are awarded through an open application process and provide funding directly from Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities to local organizations in the U.S, including K-12 public, nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community/junior colleges, state/private colleges; or a church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large. Don’t know how to determine your local facility? Don’t worry, the application will assist you!
STUDENT CONTESTS
Earth Science Week Photography Contest – Due: October 16, 2020
Photographs should focus on this year’s topic “Earth Materials in My Community.” With your camera, capture an image of the ways Earth materials are part of life where you live. The photography contest is open to interested persons of any age. The photography contest is open to interested persons of any age.
Earth Science Week Visual Arts Contest - Due: October 16, 2020
Artwork should focus on the topic “Earth Materials and Me.” We use Earth materials in things like buildings, roads, energy, clothing and food. How do you use Earth materials? Use your artistic ability to produce an original work of art that shows how Earth materials play a role in your life. The visual arts contest is open to any interested person in grades K-5.
Earth Science Week Essay Contest - Due: October 16, 2020
Write an essay on the topic “How We Process Earth Materials”. We make deliberate choices as individuals and as a society about the many ways we find, access, transport, refine, combine, distribute, use, discard, reuse and recycle Earth materials. How can we develop practices and policies that allow us to derive practical value from raw materials while retaining community values? The essay contest is open to any interested person in grades 6-9.
Earth Science Week Video Contest - Due: October 16, 2020
These brief, 30-90 second, original videos should focus on the theme “Earth Materials Around the World” and show the many ways people interact with our planet’s raw materials. Your video entry might take almost any form. A public service announcement? An animated cartoon? Some other format? You decide. Be creative! The contest is open to individuals or teams of any age in any part of the world
Imagine This…Story Writing Contest - Due: November 1, 2020
California students in grades 3-8 creatively explore where their food comes from by writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events based on accurate information about California agriculture. The winning stories from each grade are illustrated by high school art students and published in our annual story book, Imagine this… Stories Inspired by Agriculture!
Coastal Art & Poetry Contest - Due: January 31, 2021
California students are invited to submit to the annual Coastal Art & Poetry Contest. For the first time ever, entries will be submitted online! Also new this year—digital art is allowed as a medium. Find out all the details, download flyers, and get teacher resources on our website. You can also access instructions and entry form in Spanish.
Caring for Our Watersheds Contest - Due: January 31, 2021
The Caring for Our Watersheds contest challenges students to research their local watershed, identify an environmental concern and come up with a realistic solution. The California contest is open to all 9th-12th grade students who live in Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, Colusa, Yuba, Sutter, Glenn, El Dorado, Placer, and San Joaquin counties. Contact Beth Del Real at (530) 795-1544.
CREDITS
California Project WET Gazette is published by the Water Education Foundation, which serves as the state coordinator and host institution for Project WET USA, a program of the Project WET Foundation.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Grant/Cooperative Agreement No. G18AC00208. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Geological Survey. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Editor: Brian Brown, California Project WET Coordinator
Water Education Foundation
1401 21st Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811
916.444.6240
Internet: www.watereducation.org
email: projectwet@watereducation.org
