Project Wet

 

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) USA is a national nonprofit water education program and publisher for educators and young people ages 5-18. The program facilitates and promotes awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and the establishment of internationally sponsored Project WET programs.  http://www.projectwet.org/

Project WET was established in 1984 by the North Dakota State Water Commission.  The success of a multi-state initiative led to a decision to develop Project WET U.S.A. which now has programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.   

Project WET USA’s Vision:   We envision a world in which all life has the water to thrive.

 Project WET USA's Mission: Our mission is to promote responsible water stewardship through excellent and effective water education.

 Project WET USA’s Goals:

I. Effectively improve the Project WET USA program and network.

II. Develop comprehensive, teacher-tested and evaluated water education materials.

III. Deliver Project WET to everyone in the USA that needs water education.

 Project WET USA’s Programs:

  • Project WET- a curriculum including 90+ hands-on, tested activities about water

  • Healthy Water, Healthy People- a new water quality curriculum for middle and high school students

  • WOW! The Wonders Of Wetlands- curriculum and activities focused on wetland habitats

  • Planning of Wetlands- activities to create these rich learning locations

  • Conserve Water- Activities and case studies for educators

  • Make A Splash Water Festival- September event at Poland Springs

 Maine Project WET was established as a partnership between Project WET USA and the University of  Maine in 1995 and has since been an active part of Maine’s environmental education community.  In 2005, Maine Project WET created an interagency sponsorship to meet Maine’s unique needs.  Maine Project WET sponsors are:

 The Portland Water District

Poland Springs Bottling Company

Maine Lakes Conservancy Institute

Senator George J Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research

 

Maine Project WET trains educators in hands-on, interactive lessons that are focused on water and encourage critical thinking. By providing training, materials, and support to these educators and water festivals for students, ME Project WET works to improve Mainers’ understanding of our water resources.

http://www.umaine.edu/waterresearch/outreach/project_wet.htm

http://www.pwd.org  

Maine Project WET is coordinated by Lynne Richard, Environmental Education Coordinator for the Portland Water District.  Project WET workshops and events are led by enthusiastic facilitators from various agencies, universities, and schools around Maine.

ME Project WET’s Mission:

Helping Maine citizens increase their awareness of and think critically about the interconnectedness of water and all forms of life.

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Project WET USA believes:

  • Water moves through living and nonliving systems and binds them together in a complex web of life.

  • Water of sufficient quality and quantity is important for all water users (energy producers, farmers and ranchers, fish and wildlife, manufacturers, recreationists, rural and urban dwellers).

  • Wise water management is crucial for providing tomorrow's children with social and economic stability in a healthy environment.

  • Awareness of and respect for water resources can encourage a personal, lifelong commitment of responsibility and positive community participation.

  

Project WET USA is guided by the following:

Research: To stay abreast of emerging state, national, and international water education trends and standards, and to stay in touch with the educational needs of citizens.

Publications: To produce and publish creative and informative materials to meet the needs identified through research.

Instruction and Training: To provide leadership training and grass-roots instruction to ensure that materials and services are fully utilized, and to foster the participant's capacity to educate others.

Networking and Partnerships (WETnet): To form partnerships with organizations to enhance awareness, distribution, and use of materials and services.  

Evaluation: To improve the program through an aggressive, ongoing, and multifaceted evaluation program.

Recognition: To seek ways to acknowledge and recognize people and organizations for their contributions to water education.