The Project WET U.S.A. network currently consists of 47 states and 2 U.S. Islands. Canada has also adopted this water science and education program, which continues to attract global attention. Leading each state program is a coordinator or team of co-coordinators, who train a cadre of volunteer facilitators. The facilitators train educators via Project WET workshops, which involve a minimum of six hours. From 1995 through 1996 the facilitator network grew from 548 to 1,781 trainers!
The WETnet is an international network of state program sponsors, coordinators, co-coordinators, facilitators, and educators. This page of the WETnet Newsletter will help link members of the network with each other and, through brief articles, inform them of innovative programs; newly released resources; and revisions, corrections, and extensions of activities from the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide.
Activity: "Raining Cats and Dogs"
If you have conducted the activity "Raining Cats and Dogs" from the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide, you may be interested in trying out a few new water proverbs from the Virgin Islands. A new Project WET program, the Virgin Islands faces particularly acute water issues. And the topic of water is pervasive in their proverbs:
Remind students that proverbs evolve from observation, experimentation, and experience, and reflect the wisdom of generations. In fact, they have been characterized as "the wisdom of many and the wit of one."
(These West Indian proverbs, written in the Island dialect, are from the book Not So Cat Walk by George A. Seaman.)
Activity: "Incredible Journey"
Have students create a water cycle bracelet. As students move through the water cycle, ask them to label their journey maps in the order in which they move from station to station. For example, if they roll the die and rain into the "ocean," have students record #1 by the ocean; #2 by the second station they roll, and so forth.
After they have played the game and disclosed their conclusions about the water cycle, have them create a Water Cycle Bracelet. Make available lengths of twine on which beads may be strung. Purchase beads in colors that relate to the cycle: brown for ground water; blue for the ocean, white for the glacier, and so forth. Using their maps, students will string the appropriate colored beads on their bracelets relative to the order of stations they visited.
Have students wear the bracelets and, as they point to each bead, tell the story of the water molecule as it moves through the water cycle.
(Submitted by Sue McWilliams, Project WET Oregon Coordinator)
Activity: "The Long Haul"
Just for fun, add a little humor to "The Long Haul." Before students (or workshop participants) can run the bucket of water from the water source to the destination, they have to pull on clothes unique to the time period when "hauling water" was a daily chore. Have a huge pair of overalls and a straw hat, or an oversized long dress and a bonnet, that students must quickly pull on over their own clothing before they can pick up the bucket and walk to the destination. (The clothing should be large, but be sure it is short enough so students do not trip.)
(Submitted by Bill Sharff, Project WET North Dakota)
Activity: "Water Match"
"Water Match" can be adapted as a great icebreaker. Distribute one card to each person and instruct students that they have to find their match (if necessary, you may have three people in a group). Players must introduce themselves and share one water story. This leads into a great discussion of the three states of water.
(Submitted by Colleen Thomas, Project WET New Jersey)
If some time has passed since your participation in a Project WET workshop, you may want to contact your state Project WET coordinator for new program developments. Many Project WET programs have integrated Project WET activities with state and/or national educational standards and are offering related training.
Some states are also scheduling advanced workshops in ground water, wetlands, local watersheds, and other water resource topics. Special events such as water festivals and rainstick contests are being planned.
Contact your state Project WET coordinator for details. You can acquire information about state Project WET programs by visiting the Project WET web site, where you can link to your state coordinator. Or you may call the Project WET U.S.A. office 406/994-5392 or (fax) 406/994-1919 and we will be happy to connect you with your state coordinator.
If you have activity extensions, revisions, or corrections, or other material for the Educator Page, please send your ideas to the National Project WET office, 201 Culbertson Hall; Montana State University; P.O. Box 170570; Bozeman, Montana 59717-0570 Attention: Sandra DeYonge, Director Project WET USA.
The Educator Page and a listing of state Project WET Coordinators can also be found at the following Internet address: http://www.montana.edu/wwwwet.
SAFETY ALERT
When preparing for the "Sparkling Water" activity from the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide , make certain that the alum to be used-which will be mixed with bleach-is PURE ALUM. Recently, alum purchased at some pharmacies has been ammoniated. Mixing ammonia with bleach creates a serious health hazard.