As we enter into the first few days and weeks of the 2013-2014 school year and the last few days and weeks of summer, don’t forget to include water as part of a complete educational experience for youth. There are many excellent resources that may be helpful as you engage youth in water-related educational experiences throughout the year.

Listed below are a few relatively new materials developed at Penn State Extension, and we hope you find them to be great additions to your curriculum--

-- The Water We Drink – A new fact sheet about our drinking water and making sure it’s safe, designed specifically for youth in grades 6-12. The fact sheet covers important points about public and private water systems and includes an engaging activity on how to read a water quality test report.

-- A Water Drop on a Journey: Shale Gas Drilling in the Mid-Atlantic – This video presentation covers water’s journey through the shale gas drilling and production processes in the Mid-Atlantic region and targets 6th–9th grade level youth.

-- True or False: Common Concerns About Shale Gas Drilling in the Mid-Atlantic - This video presentation addresses current environmental issues and misconceptions, particularly those related to water,  surrounding shale gas drilling and production and is targeted to 8th–10th-grade viewers. The presentation addresses current topics of environmental concern and misunderstanding with factual research-based information.

-- Watershed Decisions - A hands-on, inquiry based activity that helps older youth (middle and high school aged) and adults learn about water quality issues surrounding small watersheds and the decision making processes that go into improving those water quality issues.

-- 4-H Stream Teams – 4-H Stream Teams is a new opportunity for youth ages 8-18 in Pennsylvania that are interested in water, environmental awareness, science, and their local community. Youth participate in hands-on learning experiences and take part in implementing a water based community service project in their own neighborhoods. Training for potential new volunteers and educators is being held (free and online) in November 2013. Act 48 Credits will be offered. Pre-registration is required online.

-- Dive Deeper II - If water education with youth plays a big part in your life, please save the date for our second Dive Deeper Summit! On September 25, 2104 in Harrisburg, PA, youth water educators from across the mid-Atlantic region will gather to share resources, curriculum ideas, important information, and networking opportunities. Act 48 Credits will be offered at the summit. You can sign up to receive updates about this event online.

On November 20, 12 p.m, a one-hour free webinar will be offered in which several of these resources will be presented in more detail. Please feel free to join us. You can find details on how to log on to the webinar online.

If you have any questions about any of them, please feel free to contact Jennifer Fetter – Watershed Youth Development Educator. Have a great school year!

(Written By: Jennifer R. Fetter, Extension Educator – Watershed/Youth Development, Renewable Natural Resources Team, Penn State Extension, Dauphin County Office, reprinted from the Watershed Winds newsletter.)

9/23/2013