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Making
a Splash with Project Wet
 On April 29th approximately 225 seventh graders from Sussex
Academy in Georgetown, Conrad
Middle School near Wilmington, Springer
Middle School near Wilmington, and Family
Learning Academy in Camden participated
in the fourth annual “Make
a Splash” with Project Wet
Water Festival, sponsored by Project
Wet and the Nestle Corporation,
at Fort Delaware on
Pea Patch Island off the coast of Delaware City. The event
was postponed from September 25, 2003 as a result
of Hurricane Isabel.
 The
enthusiastic seventh graders learned about being good watershed
stewards and how to solve a historic clean drinking water problem. They also gained historic and scientific
perspectives of water resource issues by linking
current and historic issues regarding watersheds and drinking water.
The event combined interactive watershed exhibits and activities,
period tour guides, and a ferry ride into an exciting and unique
adventure supplementing information they learn in
Delaware’s
watershed curriculum.
Activities
and exhibits were designed as an investigative approach to solving
the water shortages and pollution issues during the Civil War
at Fort Delaware. Students
rotated among eight “stations” throughout
the day. The history-based stations detailed the challenges
the residents of Fort Delaware faced in locating and providing
safe drinking water in 1864. DNREC scientists and educators
staffed science-based stations where topics such as water
potability (drinkability), salinity, contamination, excessive nutrient
loading, and the life cycles of mosquitoes were discussed. As
a follow up, the focus turned to Delaware’s
watersheds, where students learned more about the similarities
and differences today's clean water challenges in light of those
of the past.
 This
hands-on festival brought together parents, students, teachers,
government officials, and enthusiasts of all kinds to raise awareness
of the need for water education and to draw attention to the
vital role water plays in our everyday lives. Although everyone
lives in a watershed, not everyone is aware of the impact their
everyday activities have on the health of our water resources.
Delaware’s water festival is part of a nationwide
event aimed at educating students.
The next Make a Splash with Project Wet event will be held in
late September at Fort Delaware on Pea Patch Island and will be
offered to students in grades four through six.
Festival Sponsors
Project WET (Water
Education for Teachers) was established in 1984 and is an international
water science and education program dedicated to teaching children
around the world about water stewardship and education. The organization
provides a complete curriculum of water education teaching materials,
books, and training opportunities, as well as a network of coordinators
in every state and around the world. Project WET is based
at and affiliated with Montana
State University.
Nestle Waters North America supports
Make a Splash festivals, the largest water education event in the
country. Kim Jeffery,
president and CEO of Nestle Water North America, “encourages
stewardship of out nation’s water resources. Protecting
them is important for future generations. This water education
day provides programs and tools to get youngsters excited about
conserving water and treating it with care all their lives.” Nestle
Waters North America, Inc. is the number one bottled water company
in the US and Canada. Its family of 15 well known brands is built
upon natural spring water products including Poland Spring from
Maine, the leading spring water brand in America.
Transportation to Pea Patch Island for the event was provided
by the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA).
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