Cal Water H2O Challenge
Living in California definitely has it’s advantages – fresh air, sunshine, and beautiful coastal scenery. But like any other state, there are also drawbacks in the rewards. Take for instance the water drought California has been dealing with for the past few years. One would think we would get an abundance of rain with the sunshine, but rain just hasn’t been a friend during the last couple of years. That’s why conserving water is so important for the state of California. Without water and clean water that is, our health would be greatly affected and the environment will deplete as well.
This year I was approached to write about California’s Cal Water H2O Challenge. As an environmental advocate, I find the value of conserving water and educating others on this matter an important part of living in this world. It’s not just California who needs to concentrate on conserving water but everyone around the country. Water is one of the most precious resources and we need it to survive. Below you will find details about the Cal Water H2O Challenge and how you can get involved.
The Cal Water H2O Challenge is a project-based, environmentally-focused
competition for classrooms, grades 4-6. Designed in conjunction with
NAAEE, the WestEd K-12 Alliance, and Cal Water, and aligned with the
Common Core State Standards and complimentary to the Next Generation
Science Standards, Cal Water H2O Challenge offers a unique opportunity
for upper elementary teachers to facilitate their students’ learning of
standards-based content, while developing the core understanding of
environmental principles necessary to becoming science-literate citizens.
Since running the Garden Club at my son’s school for the past 3 years, I’ve learned a lot about water conservation as well as teaching the students the necessity of it. As the drought no doubt will continue for another couple of years it’s important for me to teach my son and the students about conserving water. One of the important lessons I impart on the kids is about distribution of water. While my son learns to dump his unused water in our garden to feed our plants, at school I try to teach the students to do the same. Too often I see kids just throw away the water bottle instead of recycling at the school. I’m not sure if the teachers dump the water in the plants around the school – which I hope they do – but whenever I see a child pour out the water on the ground, I stop them and tell them to pour it in the plants. I then explain to them that not only are they helping to water the plants but because of our drought situation, the school is watering the grounds less. And the “ah-ha!” moment that alights in their eyes is such a delight as they realize that there is no need to waste water. Kids are constantly learning and it’s important to teach them the values and structures of being responsible and caring.
Although the Cal Water H2O challenge is for certain school districts in California, on the site you can take a pledge for your school or classroom to show your support for water conservation. But the most exciting part of this competition is winning prizes! Here are the prizes offered to the winners:
Grand Prize
Class Celebration: Classroom tent-camping
trip to the Santa Monica Mountains with
NatureBridge
Class Funding: $3,500 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student
2nd Place
Class Celebration: A Pizza Party
Class Funding: $2,500 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student
3rd Place
Class Funding: $2,000 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student
4th Place
Class Funding: $1,000 grant
Extras: Cal Water prize packs for every student
All Participant Prizes
Student Recognition: An official certificate of
participation for every student
Teacher Recognition: A teacher certificate
Teacher Gift: An AMEX gift card
And here are the important highlights of the competition:
* Registration for the Cal Water H2O Challenge ends on January 31,
2017
* The students of participating classrooms initiate, develop, and
implement a 4-8 week-long project (or longer at teacher discretion),
focusing on caring for water. This class-based project explores water as
a global resource and as a local resource, while tackling a local water
problem in an individual and community-based endeavor.
* Upon completion of the project, students create a final portfolio
documenting their work. This portfolio, along with accompanying
cover sheets, student reflections, and a teacher reflection, constitute
the final submission. Submissions are due February 28, 2017.
* Objective Rubric: Judging of the competition will be conducted by a
panel of experts working in education and/or an environmental field
and will use an objective rubric, developed with the help of the West
Ed / K-12 Alliance. This rubric evaluates the water topic choice, project
goals, action plan, and outcomes, long term benefits, integration with
student learning and curriculum, student participation, impact on
student learning, presentation, and impact on teacher practice.
So if you do live in California and would like your school to participate in the challenge, please visit the contest website for more info about registration:
https://challenge.calwater.com/
Remember that registration ends on January 31, 2017, so as soon as school resumes after winter break, tell your teachers, your principals, anyone who is involved in the school district about this exciting, educational, and rewarding competition! Even if your school doesn’t win tangible prizes, remember that the students will win merits in responsibility and caring for the environment.
Best of luck to your school and don’t forget to register!
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