Winter 2020 California Project WET Gazette
Volume XXV, Issue I
Water Inspirations
“After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well.”
- Albert Einstein, 1937
This past November, I was asked to speak before a gathering of statewide education leaders on creating effective communities of practice to better implement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). While I was happy to do it, I must admit it was the first time I had to use a microphone and the butterflies were multiplying at an exponential rate as the dreaded device came closer. I’m not sure if I even introduced myself as I babbled through an introduction, but I do remember the booing that erupted after mentioning there is a tendency to forget another set of standards exist called Common Core with the current focus on connecting to NGSS .
I know most involved were just trying to be funny, but the reaction does highlight the very point I was trying to make: Science education does not – and should not – occur in a vacuum exclusive of other subjects. My fellow panel members were – gratefully on my part – far more eloquent than I in defending this point, noting math and language arts are not only vital to the study and communication of science, but the primary focus in the elementary grades – and failing to recognize this and how each subject can be integrated with the others is a stumbling block to getting more science taught at these grade levels.
‘Water Inspirations’ (p: 535) is one of many Project WET activities that integrates language arts and science concepts and skills – in this case reading, writing, observation, interpretation, water properties and states of matter with a side of speaking and listening if students add voice in sharing their work with the class. It is NOT an NGSS activity, but squarely applies language arts concepts and skills to developing a better understanding of science concepts – AND the ability of students to observe, interpret and communicate on that science.
The activity begins with students observing ‘The Great Wave at Kanagawa’ Give it a try! Click on the link and write down what you see. How is water being represented in the painting? How many forms of water do you see represented? Is there emotion or feeling expressed in the painting? What might be the storyline the artist could be trying to capture? Take a few minutes to consider these questions as you observe the painting and write down everything that comes to mind during that time. Free writing like this gets observations, thoughts or questions and language into a visual form where one can see connections or patterns they may not have thought of and is a much-used tool in beating back writer’s block for this major procrastinator.
Poetry provides some fantastic strategies for training one to observe and communicate critical details with a focused brevity that tried to capture the essence of a subject like the water in the painting. Give it a try with a simple acrostic. Start with a noun that best captures what you saw – wave, water, cold, etc. – written vertically to start each line of your poem. Then try to capture what you observe with a short phrase for each line. Believe me, anyone can do better than this:
Water enraged
Angry with foam
Violently rising
Enveloping life and land
A cinquain poem is another example and ‘Water Inspirations’ includes an example written about the great wave. A 5-line poem that usually begins with a one-word line (Waves) that also becomes the title of the poem. Two adjectives of the subject being observed (Salty blue) make up line two, followed by a third line of three action verbs describing something the subject of the poem does (cresting, falling, tumbling). Line four is a felling related to the subject (Misty droplets warn of a wall of water) ending with the fifth line as a synonym for the title that explains what the poem is about (Movement).
In the activity, students apply these skills to describe forms of water found in nature or that can be observed in images. Better yet, why not look outside? Winter provides a great opportunity to observe water in multiple forms in real-time as temperatures dip toward freezing in many areas of the state and storms add to the variety of water phenomena that can be encountered. Rather than reading near carbon copies of student work describing water characteristics using a standard science lab, you are more likely to get far more individually unique descriptions using the language art strategies that also tends to give you a greater depth of understanding of each student and their ability to observe, interpret and communicate the science.
While a teacher could have students applying language arts skills to better understand and interpret water during science, students could also be encouraged to apply their science knowledge and skills to enrich their study of art, literature and poetry. The characteristics of water have played a central role in many works of art through to the present, with examples including a Van Gogh painting of the Rhone River, Avercamp’s paintings of Amsterdam in the 1580s, Monet’s water lilies or Bierstadt’s Yosemite Valley. And let’s not forget a guy named Leonardo Da Vinci, who freely integrated knowledge and skills across disciplines to produce science notebooks that include images still studied to this day and now sold as art!
Unlike visual art where one is forced to develop their own interpretation of what is being viewed, the words are there on the page in literature – often with a depth that would slide perfectly into the Elaborate step of a 5-E learning plan on water characteristics. ‘Water Inspirations’ includes an excerpt from the Jack London story ‘To Build a Fire’ as an example for students to study how the science and properties of water can be used to add depth and character in literature. Think ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ or ‘Dune’ (drought), ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,’ ‘Lord of the Rings’ or the more recent example of the series of novels behind ‘Game of Thrones’ titled ‘The Song of Fire and Ice.’
‘Water Inspirations’ builds in complexity, as with most Project WET activities and our current standards, yet ends where the activity nearly began – with poetry. However, rather than practicing poetry writing skills to focus student observation skills, the activity dives into how poetry can blend the concrete realm of words spelled out in black and white with the abstractness of the image artist, forcing one to ‘read between the lines’ and interpret what is written. ‘The Cloud’ is included as an initial example, but plenty of examples can be found online including ‘The Snow Storm’, ‘Raindrops’ , ‘The Snowfall Is So Silent’ and ‘The Brook’ and examples from the River of Words student contest such as ‘Creek’ and ‘Flowing River’.
The ability to ‘read between the lines’ as taught in language arts is critical to effectively communicate science to the general public, and even more so in this age of varied social media. I’d argue it is this general neglect or antipathy to include a focus on language arts skills that has allowed a variety of misunderstandings or willful promotion of false information to blossom on multiple topics from the science of vaccines to climate change. While it is important for scientists to learn effective research and technical writing and speaking skills for communicating science among peers, they also need to be able to argue those same points in the LA Times and recognize how to read an audience for more effective communication.
Hopefully, some reading this may try at least a part of ‘Water Inspirations’ or other Project WET activities steeped in language art such as ‘Raining Cats and Dogs’ (p: 521) or ‘River Talk’ (p: 175) – or at least reach across the hallway to look at how science and the arts can collaborate if they aren’t already. While everyone can peruse the array of Professional Development Opportunities available around the state in early 2020, those in Sacramento County can experience two of these activities in a February workshop. You’ll find links to use with ‘Water Inspiration’ or that are tied to the subject of this writing below in Websites of Interest. Check out Winter Events for a variety of educational, water-related happenings and you’ll find a roster of Student Contests and Grants, Scholarships & Awards to consider as you kick off a New Year.
Hope you have a wonderful Winter season!
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
California Project WET Workshops
Our volunteer network of workshop Facilitators has been hard at work designing and organizing workshops for the upcoming season, including Project WET workshops on water conservation, the interconnection of inland watersheds and the ocean, climate change, water and school gardens, water science & language arts and the use of Project WET to support teaching of Next Generation Science & Common Core Standards.
Wildlife Conservation Science Education Seminar for Teachers
Join us at the fourth annual Wildlife Conservation Education Science Seminar located at beautiful Bird Haven Ranch in Butte City April 4 – 7, 2020. During the seminar, you will be trained in various wildlife and conservation education curriculum and also receive tons of materials to help you bring your lessons to life. Food, lodging, certifications and more all included for only $50! Click the title to register or email Molly Maupin for questions and more information.
Understanding Climate Change in California Workshops
These specialized Project WET workshops provide an opportunity for new and veteran Project WET educators to interact with California Department of Water Resources Climate Change scientists for a day of learning about the basics of weather and climate science, how climate science is being applied to safeguard California water resources – and how Project WET activities can help you integrate climate science concepts and skills back in the classroom.
We’re proud to light your homes, your businesses and the streets around your neighborhood – and support local schools with fun, hands-on science education. Make STEAM education come alive for your students with free, professional workshops that include hands-on activities and materials offered through the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District education program.
Classroom Aquarium Education Program
The Classroom Aquarium Education Project is offered statewide in partnership with regional community organizations. While the program has several names around the state the core learning elements and student experiences are similar. These prerequisite training workshops are held at locations throughout the state. Completion of a training workshop is required to receive eggs. Teacher training workshops are offered at least once a year in each region. For more information on Winter 2020 trainings – click on your region and then workshops.
California Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI)
The EEI Curriculum is 85 K-12 grade units that teaches 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. Click here to see a list of correlating Project WET activities to use with individual EEI units!
California Environmental Education Interagency Network
The California Environmental Education Interagency Network (CEEIN) is a consortium of state government environmental educators and partner organizations. CEEIN provides a forum for members to share resources, programs, and materials with California’s public schools and students of all ages. CEEIN maintains an online calendar, where educators can find a variety of workshop experiences and participatory stewardship opportunities related to environmental education and environmental literacy.
Forestry Institute for Teachers
Enjoy a week gaining a deeper understanding of forest ecosystems and human use of natural resources. Attending educators will receive a high-quality, interdisciplinary professional development experience focused on content and practices at the heart of current forest issues – as well as Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. We’ll also help you translate your experience back to the classroom and you’ll leave with a wealth of environmental education curriculum! A $25 registration fee includes all housing, meals and materials you will receive throughout the week – and an opportunity to receive credit and a $200 stipend for all registering BEFORE March 15th.
WEBSITES OF INTEREST
Article: ‘How Arts Can Help Struggling Science Students Do Better’
Do you remember what you learned in fifth-grade science class? Me neither. Many kids at that age learn the basics of chemistry, biology, and the like, but often the information just doesn’t stick. And that ignorance can mean failure in more advanced classes down the line. New research points to a technique that can help such students retain the information they’ve been taught, and perhaps even teach creative problem-solving skills to some of the brighter kids. It finds that science lessons stick better in kids’ memories when arts are integrated into the curriculum.
From ancient times, in Western culture and worldwide, water has been an enduring theme in the arts. Water themes flow throughout literature, poetry, fine art, theater, music, and film. The images may be enduring, aesthetically appealing, or threatening in themselves; alternately, water (e.g., the sea) may be a metaphor for birth and rebirth, violence and death, self-discovery, spiritual journey, metamorphosis, change, inspiration, and renewal.
Article: ’15 Things You Might Not Know About The Great Wave off Kanagawa’
Instantly recognizable, Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa gracefully distills the power of the ocean into a two-dimensional image that’s as deceptively simple as it is mesmerizing. But what lies beneath this beloved 19th century masterpiece might surprise you.
Opinion: ‘What Leonardo da Vinci can teach us about water’
Almost 500 years after his death, Leonardo da Vinci is still a superstar. From his first painting of the bucolic Arno River to his final deluge drawings, most of his paintings featured water. This includes the Mona Lisa, which scholars believe portrays the Trebbia River in the background. Leonardo was fascinated by the properties of water at both the micro and macro level, and accurately described the hydrological cycle—the endless loop of evaporation, condensation and precipitation that binds our global water supply.
This site is dedicated to poetry and to the people who make poetry possible: poets and their readers. Famous Poets and Poems is a free poetry site. On our site you can find a large collection of poems and quotes from over 631 poets. The site can be searched by themes including water, snow, rain, flood, drought, and storm.
Article: ‘Art can make science easier to remember’
Art and science may seem like polar opposites. One involves the creative flow of ideas, and the other cold, hard data — or so some people believe. In fact, the two have much in common. Both require a lot of creativity. People also use both to better understand the world around us. Now, a study finds, art also can help students remember better what they learned in science class.
Article: ‘Creating Poetry from Science and Nonfiction Text’
Ever wonder how to sneak a little creativity and literacy into your science lessons without departing too far from your curriculum? Blackout poetry is a great way to use science, creative nonfiction text, and magazines to create poetry masterpieces with your students. Meet standards for common core reading and writing, art, and for NGSS all in one fell swoop!
Article: ‘6 Ways To Connect Math and Art in the Elementary Classroom’
“Making Math Connections.” The phrase alone prickles many an art teachers’ spine. Combining the color, passion, and excitement of the art classroom with that of the black and white world of math can get us all flustered. Such a reaction is understandable given that many art teachers chose art instead of math for a reason. Yet, the connections between the two subjects are irrefutable and inherent. One does not exist without the other. In fact, with a little planning, connections are possible in any lesson or project, especially at the elementary level.
Article: ‘Drip, drip, drip, by day and night’
From the April showers that begin The Canterbury Tales to Shakespearean storms to sodden Victorian classics, English literature is full of rain and flooding. Some of these books began their lives in water:‘The Canterbury Tales’, the first great epic of English daily life, starts out with the sweet showers of April…
April Showers: Books about the Water Cycle
This time of year, we become especially aware of the fact that water is all around us, falling from the sky and rushing in streams and rivers, Now is a great time to explore books with children about the powerful natural force that is the water cycle, shaping our planet since it was first formed. When searching for books about the water cycle, try searching the subject phrases “juvenile literature” or “juvenile fiction” with subject phrases like “water (or hydrologic) cycle,’ “hydrology,” “rain and rainfall,” or just “water.”
Art and science may seem like polar opposites. One involves the creative flow of ideas, and the other cold, hard data — or so some people believe. In fact, the two have much in common. Both require a lot of creativity. People also use both to better understand the world around us. Now, a study finds, art also can help students remember better what they learned in science class.
River of Words has been inspiring educators and their students for over twenty years with an innovative blend of science and the arts. Our free, annual, international youth poetry and art contest — the largest in the world — inspires children ages 5 to 19 to translate their observations into creative expression. Since 1995, River of Words has encouraged young people to explore and savor the watersheds where they live and trained educators to guide them with inspiration and passion.
Literature-Based Teaching in Science: Poetry Walks
Read and discuss poetry with nature imagery with students. Take students on a poetry walk around the school, neighborhood, or community to observe and collect sensory images from direct experience with nature: the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of things outdoors. Students can take a poetry journal with them to write down words as they observe, listen, smell, and touch things outside the classroom.
California Department of Water Resources: Education
The recently updated DWR Education website has become a superb, one-stop-shop hub where K-12 educators can find a variety of free supplementary materials to support water education in and out of the classroom and for citizens of all ages to find wonderful links to easy to understand information on California water resources as well as data for those who want to go deep into the science!
U.S. Geological Survey: Water Science School
Another great website for students that has been recently updated! The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Water Science School is the place for people of all ages to come and learn all about the many aspects of water, from what it is, to how much and where it is, how it cycles around and in the Earth, to how it is used. Find information about many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.
WINTER EVENTS
January 10-12 & February 8-9, 2020: California King Tides Project
The California King Tides Project helps people visualize future sea level by observing the highest high tides of today. You can help by taking and sharing photos of the shoreline during King Tides to create a record of the changes to our coast from sea level rise. See what our coast may look like every day King Tides Story Map with one foot of sea level rise. Find out at what time and how high the King Tides will be near you.
January 20, 2020: National Parks Free Entrance Day
In honor of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., National Park Service sites planned free admission for everyone on Monday, January 20, 2020, as the first fee free day of the year. Commemorated on the third Monday of January, it is also a day of service when hundreds of volunteers participate in service projects at parks across the country. Click here for a list of parks connected to the life and legacy of Dr. King
January 22 – 26, 2020: Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway
This action-packed 5-day event celebrates the millions of waterfowl and thousands of raptors that migrate along the Pacific Flyway and call the Northern Sacramento Valley their home during the winter months. This is one of the least explored and most amazingly diverse areas of California. We hope to see you at the Snow Goose Festival!
February 20, 2020: GCSN Conference for STEM Education
Want to make learning more relevant and engaging for your students? Join us for GCSN’s 2020 Mini Conference! This mini conference will highlight strategies and resources for enhancing NGSS instruction using LOCAL phenomena. Choose from multiple workshops with options for grade-span specific strategies. Bring home great ideas for teaching NGSS in a highly engaging and locally relevant manner.
March 16 – 22, 2020: Fix a Leak Week
Are you ready to chase down leaks? Household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, so each year we hunt down the drips during Fix a Leak Week. Mark your calendars for EPA’s annual Fix a Leak Week—but remember that you can find and fix leaks inside and outside your home to save valuable water and money all year long. Learn how to find and fix leaks during Fix a Leak Week. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
March 22, 2020: World Water Day
Under the theme “Water and Climate Change.” World Water Day 2020 will focus on water as an important piece in the mitigation puzzle, as well as the single most important key to adaptation. Changes in water availability will impact food security and have already proven to trigger refugee dynamics and political instability. With a changing climate, characteristics of hydrological extreme events will change. More floods and more severe droughts will await us in future.
May 16, 2020: Kids to Parks Day
Kids to Parks Day is a nationwide celebration of the great outdoors to connect kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands. Through parks, kids across the country can learn about stewardship, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and the history of our country. By teaching our kids to appreciate and enjoy our public lands, we can foster future outdoor enthusiasts and the next generation of park stewards and caretakers of these important places.
SCHOOL, CLASSROOM & TEACHER GRANTS
President’s Environmental Youth Award – Due: January 15 2020
The President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) recognizes outstanding environmental projects by K-12 youth, while promoting awareness of natural resources and positive community involvement. Since 1971, the President of the United States has joined with EPA to recognize young people for protecting our nation’s air, water, land, and ecology. It is one of the most important ways the Administration and EPA demonstrate commitment to environmental stewardship efforts created and conducted by our nation’s youth.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching – Due: March 1, 2020
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 math education. This year’s awards will honor science, technology, engineering, math, and/ or computer science teachers working in grades K-6.
STUDENT CONTESTS.
Caring for Our Watersheds Contest - Due: January 31, 2020
The Caring for Our Watersheds writing 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.
California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest – Due: January 31, 2020
The California Coastal Commission invites California students in K-12th grade to submit artwork or poetry with a California coastal or marine theme. By encouraging youth to reflect on the beauty and spirit of California’s beaches and ocean, we hope to inspire a greater sense of stewardship for these natural places. Art and poetry must have a California coastal or marine theme to be eligible and include a short statement on how the coast or ocean inspired your creation.
H2O Classroom Challenge – Register by: January 31, 2020
Cal Water H2O Classroom Challenge is an environmentally focused, project-based competition for grades 4-6 and aligned with Common Core and complementary to Next Generation Science Standards. Students initiate, develop and implement a 4-8 week-long project focusing on caring for water. This class-based project explores water as a global resource and as a local resource, while tackling a local water problem in an individual and community-based endeavor. Eligible classrooms must be based in a Cal Water Service Area.
California Recycling Challenge – Register by: January 31 2020
The California Recycling Challenge is a friendly competition with cash prizes for winning schools and a benchmarking tool for K-12 school recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their school location only. Over a one month period, schools report recycling and trash data which are then ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables.
World of 7 Billion Video Contest – Due: February 27, 2020
The World of 7 Billion Video Contest invites any middle or high school student (grade 6-12 or the international equivalent) to create a short video about human population growth to highlight one of the following global challenges: Sustaining Water Systems, Ensuring Economic Opportunities, Improving Climate Resiliency. Students may be located anywhere in the world and entry into the contest is free.
My California Mapping Competition – Due: March 13, 2020
The California Geographic Alliance is pleased to announce the 2nd annual My California GIS Mapping Competition. This statewide opportunity encourages middle (4th-8th grade) and high school students to harness the power of Geographic Information Systems and get connected with their state by producing an online map that focuses on stories, issues, or ideas that are important to them. For schools who would like to participate in the mentoring program, registrations are due before midnight on Friday, January 31, 2020.
Carton 2 Garden Contest – Due: April 1, 2020
Show us your students’ creativity by re-purposing milk and juice cartons from your school cafeteria to either build or enhance your school garden. The best use of cartons in a school garden gives your school the chance to win one of 15 prizes with a grand prize valued at $5,000.The more creative, the better!
NPR Student Podcast Challenge – Due: March 24, 2020
Welcome Back! The NPR Student Podcast Challenge will begin on January 1, 2020 and end on March 24, 2020. We’re inviting students around the country to create a podcast, then — with the help of a teacher — compete for a chance to win our grand prize and have your work appear on NPR. This contest is for teachers with students between 5th and 12th grade. Each podcast should be between three and 12 minutes long.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize – Applications Due: April 15, 2020
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition is the world’s most prestigious water-science competition for students. The purpose of the SJWP program is to increase students’ interest in water-related issues and research and to raise awareness about global water challenges. The winner of the California competition will advance to the national level, and the winner of that event will represent America at the global competition in Sweden.
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
