Washington State Department of Ecology

News Release

Department of Ecology News Release - Sept. 21, 2000

00-184

650 grade schoolers will 'Make A Splash' learning about water

OLYMPIA - About 650 fourth- and fifth-graders are getting wet today and tomorrow while learning how to take care of a precious resource – water – at the Make A Splash Water Festival in Vancouver.

Students from the Vancouver, Evergreen and Battle Ground school districts are attending the festival at the Water Resources Education Center, located at 4600 S.E. Columbia Way in Vancouver. The center is operated by the city of Vancouver.

Rhonda Hunter, who coordinates environmental education efforts for the state Department of Ecology, said studies show that children learn much faster and easier when they can touch and interact with the subjects they're learning about.

"Students and teachers are more engaged and enthusiastic when they see the subject is brought to life in relation to their own communities. That's what Make A Splash is all about," said Hunter. "It's very important for people to know where their water comes from, where it goes and how to keep it clean."

"The emphasis for the students will be how to protect ground water for drinking and for environmental needs like fish," added Bev Walker, educator for the Water Resources Education Center.

"Through Make A Splash, students are learning about the water cycle, taste-testing bottled versus city water, and learning about salmon and about springs," Walker said. "We have some magnificent hands-on opportunities for the water festival and throughout the school year at the Water Center. We're all about teaching people of all ages to better care for and make wise decisions about water."

The event is affiliated with Ecology's national award-winning educational curriculum, Project WET (Water Education for Teachers). The kindergarten through grade 12 activity guide covers an array of water subjects, including water availability, water quality, chemical and physical properties of water, aquatic bugs as indicators of stream health, the cycle of water, waterborne diseases and water pollution from runoff.

More information about Project WET can be found at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/ee/curricul.html

The Make A Splash Festival is sponsored by the city of Vancouver, the Department of Ecology, Perrier Group of America, the Environmental Information Cooperative and Metro Greenspaces. The event corresponds with National Water Education Day, on Sept. 22.

Note to news reporters: News organizations are invited to the Water Resources Education Center on Friday between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. or between noon and 2 p.m. for a photo opportunity with students and for interviews with educators. Contact Sandy Howard for assistance at 360-407-6239, or page her at 360-786-3136.

Directions for the Water Resources Education Center:

From I-5 north or south -- take the Camas Highway 14 exit east. Within a quarter- mile, take Exit 1 south. Travel under the railroad berm. At the traffic signal, turn east onto Columbia Way. Travel to the end of the road. Turn north at the traffic circle and follow the drive around the fountain to the Water Center parking lot.

From I-205 north or south -- take the Vancouver/Highway 14 exit. Travel approximately 4 miles to Columbia House Boulevard, Exit 1. Travel west to the freeway underpass intersection. Turn south to Columbia Shores. Travel under the railroad berm. At the traffic signal, turn east onto Columbia Way. Travel to the end of the road. Turn north at traffic circle and follow the drive around the fountain to the Water Center parking lot.

Media Contacts: Bev Walker, Vancouver Water Resources Center, 360-696-8478
Sandy Howard, Dept. of Ecology, 360-407-6239; Pager, 360-786-3236