AWWA SOURCES59252

AWWA SOURCES59252 "Water in Our World" and "Down the Drain" Programs Close the Water Curriculum Gap for 5th and 6th Graders
Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 01/11/2004

Jefferson, Cheryl; Woods, Jessica

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"Water in Our World" and "Down the Drain" are two educational programs for fifth and sixth grade students respectively, that focus on Austin water issues. The City researched water education programs and curricula available to students beyond the fourth grade level that would address water and wastewater treatment, water conservation, and protection. Findings indicated that there was a need to develop such programs. "Water in Our World" was developed first, with 2,988 participants --an increase of 10 percent over the pilot year -- followed by "Down the Drain" one year later. Both programs address the lack of water education available to this student group. A team of four staff members and an Austin Independent School District (AISD) consultant worked together to write, edit, translate and illustrate the teacher and student books for these two programs. The material presented informs the students and stimulates thought about water issues that affect not only Austin, but also society in general. The lesson plans developed offer an interactive curriculum that allows plenty of hands-on experiences as well as the freedom for teachers to choose lessons in any order. Students are required to record measurements, develop experiments, write down their observations, and make calculations. Four videotapes were specifically developed and filmed in Austin to complement and reinforce water education concepts. Other pertinent videos are also provided to enrich the learning experience. A water conservation survey is included as part of a home assignment. After completing the survey, each student receives a kit that includes water-efficient showerheads, aerators, and Teflon tape to retrofit his or her home. Families participate in the installation of these items to complete the home assignment. Each program requires two to three weeks of teaching time. At the end of the year, the City invites participating teachers to evaluate the program. If necessary, the product is revised during the summer.