Choices and Preferences in a Time of Drought

The world outside my home office window in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada is a sea of green quilted with brilliant patches of wildflowers like the shards of a shattered rainbow come to Earth on this St. Patrick’s Day.  It is hard to believe California is in the grip of a withering drought once more, as the scent of new mown grass heavy with dew fills the air.  If one simply turned off the news and laid their head in the grass, all would seem right in the world – no drought, no more fire danger and no need to heed warnings to conserve water.  But it’ll take more than wishful ignorance and a four-leaved shamrock to get us through the upcoming summer.  California remains in the grip of drought, and the recent rains did little more than change the landscape from brown to green in much of the state.  Our major reservoirs remain well below historical average capacity for this time of year at 40% to 50% of capacity, snowpack is at 28% of normal and disturbing reports have been coming out regarding groundwater levels throughout the Central Valley.

The ramifications have been building since Governor Brown issued a drought declaration in January as several California communities are facing the depletion of their water supplies; both the Federal and State water projects announced there would be zero water allocations this year if drought conditions persist and the same climatic variables driving the drought has driven a three-fold increase in the number of fires CALFIRE has battled since January.  California–and each of us as citizens of this state–is facing some tough decisions regarding the immediate and long-term future of our water resources.

Water conservation in all sectors is the immediate priority

It involves actions that can be taken by citizens of all ages and integrated into the classroom.  An educator attending a recent advanced Project WET training noted in addition to having her students do the activity, she had assessed her own home water use using the ‘My Water Footprint’ (p: 441) meter and was horrified at the actual amount of water being used. She ended up conducting her own version of the Project WET ‘Water Audit’ (p: 469) activity and ended up replacing outdated toilets, changing landscaping and installing drip irrigation, saving a lot of water and reducing her monthly bills in the process.  ‘The Long Haul’ (p: 273) is a wonderful activity for physical education that takes students back to the days before plumbing to appreciate the amount of water they use in the present.  ‘Water Concentration’ (Project WET portal) is a history activity, where students analyze different water use practice technology through time for the home to assess the benefits and costs in time, energy, water and other natural resources used in each.  Math skills are applied to water conservation in  ‘Money Down the Drain’ (p: 351), as students measure and calculate water volume lost by a variety of leaks and convert those volumes into the units used on home water bills to calculate the actual costs of each leak if left unfixed for given periods of time.  ‘Easy Street’ (Project WET portal) brings language arts, math, history and environmental science together in an activity that has students comparing water used by their family with one in the late 1800s American West – the student pages are titled ‘Drought Days Simulation.’

Comments due by June 13th on Bay Delta Conservation Plan

Taking action to secure and determine the course of California water supply management in the future is the other major priority this spring.  California citizens have until June 13th to review and comment on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (i.e., ‘the tunnels’).  Water allocation is at the core of the debate over the plan as it ever has been in California water politics and a number of Project WET activities, which present hypothetical situations that are anything but in California.  For Secondary teachers, this presents a unique opportunity to engage students in a current discussion that will their immediate future as Californians, while providing you with an opportunity to dig into the details of the BDCP with a course of study loaded with Common Core and Next Generation Science Standard elements. ‘Choices and Preferences’ (Project WET portal) will let you quietly rank the importance of major water user categories alongside your students, then see how you compare as they discuss, debate and refine their rankings with the rest of the class.  Then dig into a class reading and review of the overview materials on the BDCP website – What are the stated purposes of this plan?  How well does the plan support the water user rankings of the class in the Project WET activity? The activity ‘8-4-1, One For All’ (p: 299) will have your students digging deeper into the BDCP plan as they investigate the water needs and become a representative for one of eight water user categories:  agriculture, energy, municipal, business & industry, fish & wildlife, recreation, navigation and Earth systems (i.e., aquifers, vernal pools, the Delta).  Extend the activity by having students investigate each water user category by California region – i.e., Northern California, Delta and San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California – and creating a ‘common water needs’ table – like the one on page 302 in Project WET Guide 2.0 – for each region.  The tables will allow the class to compare the make-up of each water user category by region to better understand how they may view the Bay Delta Conservation Plan.  The BDCP website includes an archive of public comments that have been received and Aquafornia includes a news file on the BDCP and links to representatives making up the water user categories in the Project WET activity.  The above Project WET activities and study of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan will require students to integrate and apply what they have been learning in classes ranging from civics and biology to language arts and environmental science!

Project WET building block activities

While a study of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan would be well over the heads of younger students, Project WET provides ‘building block’ activities to help build concepts, knowledge and skills in younger students.  ’Choices and Preferences’ is a broad grade range activity that includes adaptations for use in the Primary grades and is an activity that dovetails well with ‘Common Water’ (p: 249), which demonstrates water as a shared and finite resource- a concept that is often hard for adults to remember. The concept is further reinforced through the use of math and measurement skills in the activity ‘A Drop in the Bucket’ (p: 257), where students breakdown the estimated global allocation of water and water use in the United States using U.S. Geological Survey data. The two-page USGS Fact Sheet: ‘Summary of Estimated Water Use in the United States in 2005’ referenced in ‘A Drop in the Bucket’ is an easy read for anyone with an upper elementary reading level and illustrates California water use in comparison to other states by major water user categories. Each of these activities include K-2 options that pare down and bring the choices and content closer to home for lower elementary students – and as with the Secondary activities, each of these activities have students using integrated knowledge from multiple subject areas to hone critical thinking skills directly tied to Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.  

Recurring drought is a fact of life in California along with our Mediterranean climate and is projected to occur with more regularity as our climate continues to change.  While the Project WET activities above will start your investigations of drought and water allocation issues with students, the ‘Websites of Interest’ below will provide additional resources to help take action at school and at home.  Spring is also a time of year loaded with water and environment- themed ‘Events’ that provide opportunities to learn about, take action in and enjoy the environment we live in. Finally, there are loads of ‘Professional Development Opportunities’ this Spring, including a number of special focus Project WET workshops that will be delving deeper into understanding climate change in California and giving educators a look behind the scenes of the U.S. Geological Survey’s California Water Science Center in San Diego, the hub of an incredible water monitoring and research network for the state.  Hope you have a wonderful – and with any luck – a wet Spring!

Websites of Interest

The U.S. Drought Portal
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) provides a clearinghouse of drought-related information including maps, tools, and information to help people prepare for and mitigate the effects of drought. The California NIDIS Pilot is developing and demonstrating a variety of early warning information resources and strategies, in partnership with agencies, industries, institutions, tribes, and other major stakeholders. http://www.drought.gov/drought/regional-programs/california/california-home

Summary of Estimated Water Use in the United States 
The USGS compiles and estimates water-use information in cooperation with State, Federal, and local agencies to document how the Nation’s water resources are used. The most recent publication in the series is from 2005, but is in the process of being updated and expected to be released in Fall 2014. This fact sheet integrates well with – and adds an additional Common Core and Next Generation Science standard element to – the Project WET activities ‘A Drop in the Bucket’, ‘Choices and Preferences’, ‘Virtual Water’ and ‘8-4-1, One For All.’

HomeWaterWorks: Calculator 
Want to conserve water? Not sure where to start? Our Water Calculator quickly estimates how much water your household uses and compares it to a similar average and a highly efficient home. The Water Calculator also shows you where to begin your home water conservation efforts. Throughout Home Water Works, you’ll find useful tips and resources for saving water and money without sacrificing comfort or convenience.  ’My Water Footprint’

H2O House Water Saver Home 
Take the virtual home tour to investigate your water saving opportunities in each area of your home. Click on each location to show you both the facts and specific advice. Visit the virtual encyclopedia of water conservation information for your home and select the area of the home where you are interested in learning more about saving water, including leak detection and repair, water use efficiency in and outside the home and incentive or rebate programs available to you: http://www.h2ouse.org/action/index.cfm

Be Water Smart 
This website provides information on drought status, rebates, conservation workshops and interactive maps to help customers in the Sacramento region link to their water provider. Many local water providers offer rebates to replace older fixtures and appliances, such as toilets and clothes washers, with high-efficiency models. Check to see if your water provider is offering similar programs! http://www.bewatersmart.info/why-conserve-water/preparing-for-a-dry-2014. 

Save Our Water
Save Our Water is a statewide program aimed at helping Californians reduce their everyday water use.  Browse the Save Our Water website to uncover ideas on saving water indoors and out. You’ll find water conservation tips, tools for calculating your water use, fun ways for kids to save water and to permanently reduce water use – regardless of whether California is in a drought. http://www.saveourh2o.org/node/2

School Water Audit Project
Start a School Water Audit today! Developed by the Arizona Project WET program, the School Water Audit Project combines water education with practical applications of scientific methodology. It brings community members together with students for the purpose of accomplishing a unified goal. It empowers students and adults alike to be responsible water stewards. Download the SWAP lessons individually by clicking on the download option inside your lesson bubble. SWAP water waste for water efficiency!

USGS Water Science School: Home Use
How much is your daily indoor water use? How much water do you use when you take a shower? Wash a load of clothes? Flush a toilet? Even brush your teeth? Enter your use data from the Project WET ‘My Water Footprint’ or ‘Water Audit’ activities, choose the submit button, and we’ll give you an estimate of how many gallons of water you used. NOTE: Our survey here is very general in nature…just to give you a quick idea of your water use, but we have links to more accurate calculators on this page!

USGS Water Science School: Drip Calculator
How much water does a leaking faucet waste? Check your faucets at home — do any of them drip? Well, maybe it’s just a small drip — how much water can a little drip waste? This page allows students to enter their data from the Project WET ‘Money Down the Drain’ activity to help calculate the volume of water being lost, while also providing wonderful questions and links to pique their water conservation curiosity!

USGS Water Science School: Virtual Water
What is the water content of things? Water is needed to grow not only everything we eat but also to produce almost all the products we use every day. You can’t tell by the size of a product or the appearance of a food how much water was actually used to produce the item. This page allows students to enter their guess on how much water is used to produce some common foods and products and is a wonderful website to use with the Project WET ‘Virtual Water’ activity!

California Data Exchange Center
California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) installs, maintains, and operates an extensive hydrologic data collection network, including reservoir storage, snow data, weather, and total precipitation data. CDEC provides a centralized location to store and process real-time hydrologic information gathered by various cooperators throughout the State; and then disseminates this information to support forecasting and flood operations activities and to meet the data reporting needs of various cooperators, public and private agencies, the news media and the public.

Bay Delta Conservation Plan
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is a part of California’s overall water management portfolio. It is being developed to secure California’s water supply by building new water delivery infrastructure and operating the system to improve the ecological health of the Delta. The Draft BDCP and BDCP Draft EIR/EIS are being made available to the public for a 180-day review period (including a 60-day extension). The public review and comment period is effective December 13, 2013 through June 13, 2014. http://baydeltaconservationplan.com/PublicReview.aspx

University of California Institute for Water Resources
The Institute integrates California’s research, extension, and education programs to develop research-based solutions to water resource challenges. We do this by facilitating collaborative research and outreach on water issues across California’s academic institutions, governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The site contains links to drought resources, publications, and educational materials.

WaterSense
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, makes it easy for Americans to save water and protect the environment. Visit the website to get water-efficiency information and tips, learn how to check for and fix leaks, and more. Many WaterSense materials are available in Spanish, and the website includes a For Kids section and a “Test Your WaterSense” game.

Sprinklers 101 
Welcome to Sprinklers 101!  Water for our yards and gardens can account for up to 60% of home water use. Sprinklers 101 is a one-stop shop for homeowners looking for easy-to-understand information about how residential sprinkler systems work, information on drip irrigation and other smart ways to reduce landscape water use, as well as learn how to save water outdoors simply by changing the way you water your plants! http://www.saveourh2o.org/content/homeowners

Greywater Action
We are a collaborative group of educators, designers, builders, and artists who educate and empower people to build sustainable water culture and infrastructure. Using water from sinks, showers and washing machines to irrigate plants is a way to increase the productivity of sustainable backyard ecosystems that produce food, clean water, and shelter wildlife.  We also have information on rainwater harvesting.

DIY Plumbing Advice 
Do-It-Yourself Plumbing info you can actually use! DIY Plumbing Advice strives to provide you with plumbing and water information that is reliable, responsible, and free. The purpose of this site is to show YOU how to do it, not just to show an abbreviated video of how I did it. A plumbing glossary is included on each subject page. The site was developed by Greg Chick, a certified Green Plumber in Ramona, CA.  Learn more about Green Plumbers at: http://www.greenplumbersusa.com/what-is-a-greenplumber.

Professional Development Opportunities

Summer 2014 – Forestry Institute for Teachers

These one-week institutes bring together natural resource specialists and K-12 teachers for one week, working side by side to gain a deeper understanding of the intricate interrelationship of forest ecosystems and human use of natural resources. You’ll walk away with a wealth of knowledge and environmental education curriculum- including Project Learning Tree, Project WILD and Project Aquatic WILD! This FREE training includes all housing, meal and materials you will receive throughout the week.  Register at: http://www.forestryinstitute.org

April 3, 2014 – Project WET and WILD workshop: South Lake Tahoe

TAHOE REGION EDUCATORS! Join us for this FREE workshop in the beauty of the Tahoe Basin, where you will experience fun, Common Core aligned activities and how to use them to integrate study of the local ecosystem in your classroom. Each participant will walk away with (3) superb activity guides – Project WET, Project WILD & Aquatic WILD! This workshop will introduce you to the interdisciplinary, Common Core aligned activities of Project WET and Project Learning Tree through hands-on experience, while demonstrating the use of the activities to engage learners in concepts and topics relevant to the San Francisco Bay area. For more information or to register, please contact Susanne Johnson (530) 543-2694 or susannejohnson@fs.fed.us

April 10 and 11, 2014 – Creek Freaks workshop: Whiskeytown NRA

It’s wet, it’s muddy, it squirms, and kids may squeal! Give children the opportunity to discover what secrets lie hidden in and around their local streams by joining the national Creek Freaks program. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, join us for a comprehensive training that will give you all the tools you need to successfully implement Creek Freaks with your class, afterschool program or camp. Please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creek-freaks-training-workshop-tickets-10952761003 to register.

April 22, 2014  – ‘Plant It, Grow It, Eat It!’ workshop: Victorville

ATTENTION EDUCATORS IN THE HIGH DESERT! This 2‐hour workshop, will provided the tools and resources for establishing successful school gardens and using garden environments for effective teaching and integrating STEM, NEXTGen, and Common Core Standards into gardens labs. The workshop will also focus on the nuts and bolts of developing school gardens and provide educators with valuable tools to find funding sources for school gardens. Workshop is limited to 25 educators!  For more information, please visit our website, www.meeconline.com, or contact Samantha Murray, MEEC Program Specialist at (760)245‐1661 ext. 6717.

April 26, 2014 – ‘Understanding Climate Change in California’ workshop: Oroville

OROVILLE REGION EDUCATORS! Climate change is having a profound impact on California water resources, as evidenced by changes in snowpack, sea level and river flows. Join the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Climate Change Team for a day learning about the basics of climate science, how DWR is addressing these impacts and how the interdisciplinary activities of Project WET can help you integrate climate science knowledge and skill back in the classroom! Please contact Brian Brown, CA Project WET Coordinator at: (916) 444-6240 or projectwet@watereducation.org.

May 3, 2014 – Project WET workshop: Vallejo

SOLANO COUNTY EDUCATORS! The School Water Education Program (SWEP) of Solano County invites all K-12 educators to attend this workshop to learn more about great, ‘hands-on’ activities that will engage student learning in concepts, skills and core knowledge that lay at the core of current Solano County water issues. Project WET activities are correlated to Common Core State and Next Generation Science Standards. The workshop is FREE if you teach in Solano County. Registration and questions please e-mail schoolwatered@gmail.com

May 3, 2014 – ‘Understanding Climate Change in California’ workshop: Visalia

TULARE REGION EDUCATORS! Climate change is having a profound impact on California water resources, as evidenced by changes in snowpack, sea level and river flows. Join the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Climate Change Team for a day learning about the basics of climate science, how DWR is addressing these impacts and how the interdisciplinary activities of Project WET can help you integrate climate science knowledge and skill back in the classroom! Please contact Brian Brown, CA Project WET Coordinator at: (916) 444-6240 or projectwet@watereducation.org.

May 17, 2014 – Project WET – US Geological Survey workshop: San Diego

SAN DIEGO AREA EDUCATORS! Come spend a day at the USGS California Water Science Center to learn about current USGS research on California water issues and how to integrate USGS knowledge into your classroom through the interactive, Common Core aligned activities of Project WET. Each participant attending this training will receive a copy of Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0, a variety of other supplemental materials- and a free breakfast & lunch! Please contact Brian Brown, CA Project WET Coordinator at: (916) 444-6240 or projectwet@watereducation.org.

June 10 and 11, 2014 – Creek Freaks workshop: Cosumnes River Preserve

It’s wet, it’s muddy, it squirms, and kids may squeal! You don’t need to be a science expert to incorporate Creek Freaks activities into your program. You will learn all you need to know about where pollution comes from, how to prevent it, and how the soil, plants, animals and work together to make a stream healthy. The training provides educators with stimulating interactive indoor and outdoor activities. Please contact John Durand at jdurand@galt.k12.ca.us or (916) 801-3741- or – Erin Johnson at (301) 548-0150 x229 or ejohnson@iwla.org to register.

June 11, 2014 – Project WET Workshop: Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD EDUCATORS! The Kern County Water Agency’s Project WET workshop and practicum for teachers features classroom-proven, hands-on learning activities that make water topics come alive for students. Our workshop models activities that are practical for teachers, yet also engages student critical thinking skills. During the practicum portion of the workshop, the Agency will supply teachers with materials to make classroom kits for many of activities demonstrated. For more on this FREE training, please visit: http://www.kcwa.com/water_education/projectwet.shtml. To pre-register for the workshop or for more information, call (661) 634-1424 or email sclayton@kcwa.com.

June 12-14 & November 4, 2014 – Floodplain and Delta Ecology Institute: Stockton

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA EDUCATORS! The Floodplain and Delta Ecology Institute brings together the curricula of Education & the Environment Initiative, Delta Studies and Project WET to create meaningful activities for the classroom and interesting content learning for the teacher of grades 3 – 8.   The institute includes direct engagement with the curriculum provided, content expert speakers, a full-day bus tour of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and a $200 Stipend upon completion of the project.  To register, contact Conni Bock, SJCOE Science and Special Projects at: cbock@sjcoe.net or 209-468-4880.

July 28-30, 2014 – Floodplain Ecology Institute: Chico

SACRAMENTO VALLEY EDUCATORS! The Floodplain Ecology Institute is designed to increase teachers’ knowledge and awareness of floodplain ecosystems and provide participants with the tools to educate their students about their relationship to their watershed. The program includes the introduction of standards based curriculum (Project WET and the Education and the Environment Initiative Units), field experiences, hands-on inquiry-based lab activities, and guest speakers and demonstrations by agencies. $200 Stipend upon completion of the project.  Please contact Dr. Beverly Marcum, Inland Northern Science Project at bmarcum@csuchico.edu to register.

July 29 – August 1, 2014 – RESTORE Schoolyard Restoration Training: Sacramento

SACRAMENTO EDUCATORS! Bring a team from your school to join habitat experts for a fun, hands-on week at beautiful Soil Born Farms along the American River Parkway in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife’s RESTORE Institute. Learn the steps to creating a restoration project on school grounds through field trips to local schoolyard habitat projects; meeting a network of engaged educators and schoolyard restoration specialists; learning about funding and partnership opportunities; and outdoor, content standards-based lessons designed to extend and enhance your existing curriculum For more information or to register contact Karleen Vollherbst, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at: karleen_vollherbst@fws.gov or 916-478-9247 by July 10, 2014.

Spring Events

March 17 – 23, 2014 – Fix a Leak Week

Help us chase down leaks in your home! Household leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, so we’re hunting down the drips during Fix a Leak Week (March 17-23). Use the Project WET activity ‘Money Down the Drain’ (p: 351) to find out how much that leak is costing, then race over to your plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems, fix the leaks, and save valuable water and money. http://www.epa.gov/watersense/our_water/fix_a_leak.html

March 22, 2014 – International World Water Day

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2014 as the ‘International Year of Water and Energy’ Water and energy are closely interlinked and interdependent. Energy generation and transmission requires utilization of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources. Conversely, about 8% of the global energy generation is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers. http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday

March 27 – 29, 2014 – 2014 Green Schools National Conference

Join us in Sacramento for one of the largest national gatherings of ‘green school’ advocates, designers, administrators, operations managers, teachers, students and parents. Topics will include curriculum that advances sustainability skills and knowledge for the 21st century; stewardship and service learning; sustainable facilities design, management, and operations; and creating strong partnerships and networks.  For more information, please visit: http://conference.greenschoolsnationalnetwork.org

March 28 – 30, 2014 – AEOE Statewide Spring Conference

Join the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education for our Statewide Spring Conference at SCICON Outdoor School in Springville, CA. We are state-wide organization that has been created for and by the outdoor and environmental educators of our state.  AEOE volunteers work to provide a variety of professional development opportunities for newly emerging naturalists and program administrators.  The conference includes 60+ workshops or field trips. To learn more, including how to register, please visit: https://aeoe.org/events

March 26-27, 2014 – Children’s Water Education Festival

2014 marks the 18th year of the Children’s Water Education Festival, the largest event of its kind in the United States, at the University of California, Irvine. More than 7,000 third through fifth grade students and their teachers are expected to attend the event, presented by the Orange County Water District, Disneyland Resort and the Orange County Water District Groundwater Guardian Team. http://www.childrenwaterfestival.com

April 4-6, 2014 – Growing Interpretation Workshop

The National Association for Interpretation Region 9 is rich with new ideas and resources that help boost the production of interpreters and the variety of programs they provide. This spring, join us for blossoming discussions on innovative field techniques, best practices in management, and current science, technology, and social movements during the annual Region 9 workshop being held April 4-6, 2014 at the California State University in Chico, California. http://nairegion9.wordpress.com/events/regional-workshop/

April 4-12, 2014 – Creek Week 2014

TIME TO CARE FOR OUR CREEKS!   Our creeks flow into the Sacramento and American rivers! Taking action to promote creek health also benefits our rivers! Be part of an area-wide volunteer effort to improve and enhance our urban waterways. Trash and invasive plant removal and water quality testing all help support a healthy creek system. You will have a great time and feel great about the work you have done to help protect our environment: http://www.creekweek.net/

April 13-19, 2014  – National Environmental Education Week

EE Week is the nation’s largest celebration of environmental education held each year the week before Earth Day and inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students. The 2013 theme ‘Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors’ will explore how technology can enhance environmental learning both inside and outside the classroom. Learn more by visiting our website at: www.eeweek.org.

April 15, 2014 – Aquifers: 101 – USGS Seminar

This unique presentation will clarify the misunderstandings surrounding aquifers, while answering questions specific to the water concerns of our Morongo Basin and is designed to benefit: Primary and Secondary School Educators, Environmental and Geological Science Students from College and High School; Water District and Water Agency Leadership, Management, and Staff Members; Water and Community Citizen Advisory Boards and Committees; Rate Payers, Water Partners, and the General Public. RSVP by April 15th to: (760) 821.5716 or e-mail: KJRADNICH@JBWD.COM

May 3, 2014 – Visalia Earth Day

The Visalia Environmental Committee would like to invite you to our 2014 Earth Day celebration! This year’s event will focus on water conservation and will include an exhibitor/vendors event, multiple water efficiency demonstrations, birding and native plant educational walks, live music and a recycled art fashion show.  http://www.ci.visalia.ca.us/depts/natural_resource_conservation/earth_day.asp

May 8, 2014  – Cooperative Extension: Day of Science and Service

Join the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources for a one-day science project on May 8. Tell us how you conserve water, where food is grown in your community, and how many pollinators you see around you. Take a walk, visit a park or enjoy the beauty of a garden. Paint a picture of California’s food and water resources by marking your responses on our online GIS maps! Free educational activities are available for grades K-12 around water conservation, gardening and nutrition, and pollinators. More information is available at http://beascientist.ucanr.edu

May 14, 2014  – State Scientists Day

All Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grade students are invited to the state capitol grounds to explore over 40 exciting and free hands-on exhibits including: Fun with Chemistry, Fishing in the City, Oil Spill Clean-Up, Reduce Recycle Reuse, Emergency Response, Understanding Earthquakes, Wildlife Tracking, Fish Tagging and much more! Please make your reservations for this free event at 916-441-2629 or ssd@capsscientists.org. For more information, check out our website http://www.capsscientists.org

Grants, Scholarships & Awards

U.S. Geological Survey Summer Internship Program                                   

The U.S. Geological Survey Summer Internship Program offers students hands-on experience working with scientists in a professional environment. The goal of the program is to enhance awareness and appreciation of science and encourage students to consider the sciences as a career path. The full-time, two-month position is open to Sacramento and San Diego area high school sophomores and juniors ages 16 and above.  For more details, please visit: http://ca.water.usgs.gov/about/summer_internship.html

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching     Deadline: April 1, 2014

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science). Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education. Please visit: https://www.paemst.org

Gloria Barron Prize For Young Heroes
Nomination Deadline: April 15, 2014

Do you know a young person who is doing great things to help other people or the planet? Nominate him or her for the 2014 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes! The Barron Prize celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people (ages 8–18) who have made a significant positive difference to people and our environment. Prize winners receive a $5,000 cash award to support their service work or higher education. For more information, visit http://www.barronprize.org/

ING Unsung Heroes Awards Program                                                           Deadline: Apr. 30, 2014

Are you an educator with a class project that is short on funding but long on potential? Do you know a teacher looking for grant dollars? ING Unsung Heroes® could help you turn great ideas into reality for students. ING financial services organization is offering 100 awards of $2,000 each to K-12 educators in the United States to help further their projects within their school or school system. Each year, three top winners are selected from the 100 finalists to receive additional awards of $25,000, $10,000, and $5,000.  For more information, visit https://unsungheroes.scholarshipamerica.org

CPF EcoTech Grants 
Deadline: May 31, 2014

The Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) is pleased to announce a competitive grant program in partnership with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. Sixteen (16) $2500 grants will be awarded to schools or non-profits organizations for the purpose of engaging children in inquiry-based projects in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) that use innovation, bio-mimicry / nature-based design, or new uses for technology to address environmental problems in their communities.

Captain Planet Foundation                                                                                     Deadline: September 30, 2014

Grants are made for activities that promote and support high-quality educational programs, enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world through learning experiences and engage them in active, hands-on projects to improve the environment in their schools and communities.  CPF grants are limited to $2,500 and preferential consideration is given to applicants who have secured at least 50% matching or in-kind funding for their program. http://www.captainplanetfdn.org.

Credits

California Project WET Gazette is published by the Water Education Foundation, which serves as the state coordinator for Project WET International.

Editor: Brian Brown, Project WET Coordinator

Water Education Foundation
717 K Street, Suite 317   
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.444.6240