The Education and Outreach working group is promoting greater awareness of the impotance of Ohio's water resources through the creation of new programs and through active support of many more.
A central goal for the Education and Outreach working group is to promote greater environmental literacy for all Ohioans. Understanding the impact of daily water related events is key to fostering a sense of ownership and a desire to protect Ohio’s water resources. The Storm Center program utilizes local television newscasts as a vehicle for environmental and water-specific messaging. Once a station has adopted the program they create their own brand and incorporate news items about local water and other environmental issues of interest into the weather report. The local program is also supported by a corresponding website that can be accessed for more information on the issues broadcast.
Storm Center has already been successfully launched as EcoTrack in the Northwest region of Ohio via WTOL, Channel 11 out of Toledo. Efforts are ongoing to secure sponsorship to launch in additional regional markets.
To learn more about EcoTrack visit the website at:
www.wtol.envirocast.net
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers)
Project WET is a non-profit water education program that provides classroom ready educational materials for teachers such as the Curriculum and Activity Guide. This extensive guide offers fun and informative lesson plans and activities for children ages 5-18 in a variety of formats. The group offers many additional educational resources including: lesson plans, seminars and workshops to help teachers incorporate an appreciation for the natural world into the classroom
To learn more about Project WET, visit the website at:
www.projectwet.org
Healthy Water, Healthy People
This innovative program, sponsored by Project WET and Hach Scientific Foundation, provides activity guides, testing kits and training to anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge of water quality issues.
For more information please visit the website at:
www.projectwet.org/hwhp
SWEET (Source Water Environmental Education Teams)
With a focus on helping Ohioans understand and protect the sources of their drinking water, the SWEET Program organizes teams of three to five local water resources partners to provide community outreach and education. Team members are often local health departments, watershed coordinators or public water system operators. The teams, equipped with water flow models and other resources, provide information and support at the local level through participation in public meetings, talk at local schools, festivals and county fairs.
To find out more about SWEET, visit the website at:
www.epa.state.oh.us/ddagw/SWEET/index.html
Water Education News and Events
Children's Water Festival
As a finale to the National Drinking Water Awareness events there will be a Children's Water Festival on May 5, 2008 on the Ohio Statehouse lawn.