Worldwide Water Education

Educate. Empower. Act. The mission of Project WET is to reach children, parents, educators and communities of the world with water education. We invite you to join us in educating children about the most precious resource on the planet — water.

Curriculum Standards

Vietnamese students discover the essential factors needed to sustain life in the Life Box.

Curriculum Standards

Project WET used appropriate standards, such as the Benchmarks for Science Literacy, in developing activities. For example, the activity Molecules in Motion specifically addresses physical science benchmarks related to the structure of matter. Irrigation Interpretation addresses the benchmarks for the technological system of agriculture, specifically the relationship between irrigation and crop production.

Subsequently, as teachers develop and/or implement curricula designed for their classrooms, schools and districts, they will find Project WET activities appropriate and effective in helping to meet goals and objectives. Project WET encourages educators to select activities from the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide to meet national educational standards and local curricula expectations, in order to “build a nation of learners.”

Using Project WET Activities to Meet Standards

Project WET activities can be used or adapted to address the objectives or standards within the scope and sequence of existing education programs. Following is an example showing selected objectives for Science Literacy* and the Project WET activities that address them.

K-2

Observing things can help you learn about your environment (Stream Sense)
Living things need water, food, air and light (Life Box)

3-5

Heating and cooling causes changes in the properties of materials (Molecules in Motion)
Gravity pulls objects, including water, towards Earth’s center (wAteR in moTion)

6-8

Many substances dissolve in water (What's the Solution)
Animals and plants have diverse physical appearances and behaviors that help them retain and/or live in water (Water Address)

9-12

The chemical composition of the water molecule determines its properties (Hangin’ Together)
How data is presented often influences how it is interpreted and accepted (Super Bowl Surge)

*adapted from the Benchmarks for Science Literacy

Using Project WET Activities to Supplement an Existing Curriculum

Following are examples of how Project WET activities can be used to help meet the objectives of a social studies or health curriculum.

Selected objectives for Social Studies and Project WET activities that address them:

K-2

The geographic characteristics of a land area form connections between home, school, and community (Rainy-Day Hike)
People have similarities and differences of opinion regarding water resources, and people can learn from each other in many ways (Idea Pools)

3-5

Past events influence contemporary communities, and information about communities can be obtained from many sources (Water Crossings)
Community members are dependent upon each other for many goods and services (Water Works)

6-8

Location and availability of resources influence how people manage these resources (Pass the Jug)
Aspects of culture are influenced by geographical features, including climate (Rainstick)

9-12

Managing water resource issues involves critically analyzing information to consider all sides of the issue (Perspectives)
The rights and responsibilities of citizens should be carefully considered and presented in a logical manner (Water Bill of Rights)

Selected objectives for Health and Project WET activities that address them:

K-2

Water is an important nutrient for our bodies (Aqua Bodies)
We have five senses that help us observe our environment (Stream Sense)

3-5

Healthy habits help prevent the spread of disease (No Bellyachers)
Individuals and communities can contribute to or prevent water pollution (A-maze-ing Water)

6-8

The diffusion of water through our cells helps transport nutrients (Let's Even Things Out)
Water quality is related to health through drinking water (Pucker Effect)

9-12

Waterborne diseases are caused by a variety of microorganisms and exhibit a variety of symptoms (Super Sleuths)
Water-related issues can affect individuals and global communities within both the short-term and long-term time frames (Whose Problem Is It?)

Project WET Activities - State Correlations / Standards