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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:
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Project WET-
a curriculum including 90+ hands-on, tested activities about water
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Healthy
Water, Healthy People- a new water quality curriculum for middle and
high school students
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WOW! The
Wonders Of Wetlands- curriculum and activities focused on wetland
habitats
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Planning of
Wetlands- activities to create these rich learning locations
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Conserve
Water- Activities and case studies for educators
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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.
Project WET
USA believes:
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Water moves through
living and nonliving systems and binds them together in a complex
web of life.
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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).
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Wise water management
is crucial for providing tomorrow's children with social and
economic stability in a healthy environment.
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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.
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