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Albany and Maysville Student Water Festivals
It is important for youth to understand water quality, non-point source pollution and [stream bank] erosion, not only because it is important for our environment, but also because these topics are included in the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) science knowledge test at the third grade level. For this reason, third grade classrooms in DeKalb, Gentry and Worth Counties will be invited to attend a local Water Festival.
Project Description
Extension presenters will conduct learning stations including enviroscape models to teach the concepts of watershed and non-point source pollution, while tying the discussion to possible sources of NPS. Additional stations will include, the water cycle as taught through Project WET activity "The Incredible Journey", Garbage Pizza which reinforces the concerns related to landfill waste and water quality, and Soil Erosion Bottles which show how runoff is affected by different types of ground cover. Missouri Department of Conservation staff will bring the stream table and demonstrate stream bank erosion and its causes. In addition the Project WET activity, "Just Passing Through" will be conducted to reinforce best management practices to prevent excess runoff and erosion. The Wetlands Trunk will be used to reinforce the critical interaction between animals and clean water. Two Water Festivals will be conducted. The first Festival, in Maysville, will include DeKalb County Schools. Gentry and Worth County Schools will participate in the second Festival site in Albany. Through active involvement in their learning, students will be able to better relate to the concepts they are being taught.
Objectives
Approximately 200 third grade students will participate in the Water Festivals (Estimated 100 students per Festival site).
Students will learn the meaning of the terms point source and non-point source pollution.
Students will learn how the Water Cycle works and the various ways pollutants can enter the water.
Students will learn about the types of soil erosion and best management practices used to reduce erosion (Which is the greatest source of NPS pollution in Northwest MO).
Methods Employed
The project will use watershed education as a tool to inform approximately 200 grade-school children about watersheds, nps pollution, water quality issues, and best management practices that can have a positive influence on water quality. Learning stations will be presented at two water festivals and through active involvement with these stations, students will be able to better relate to watershed concepts.
Products
Students will be able to define the following terms: watershed, point source pollution, non-point source pollution. They will also be able to describe the water cycle.
Teachers will recognize the value of Water Festivals in helping to prepare students for taking the science MAP tests.
Project Sponsor
Buchanan County Universtiy Extension Center
4125 Mitchell Avenue, PO Box 7077
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Cooperators
Missouri Department of Conservation
DeKalb, Worth and Gentry County SWCD's
University Outreach and Extension
Maysville Elementary School
Albany Elementary School
Contact
Beverly Maltsberger 816-279-1691
Jim Crawford 660-744-6231
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