Students from 14 Delaware and Maryland schools were educated and entertained at the 3rd annual Delaware/Maryland Winning Water Festival recently at Delaware Technical and Community College in Dover.

 The festival engaged more than 1,500 fourth and fifth grade students through dynamic displays, hands-on experiments and lively entertainment designed to teach students about the value of our water resources.

Water resource professions from government agencies, environmental organizations, higher education and private business developed and presented more than 30 displays and activities on water topics, including drinking water, groundwater, watersheds, surface water and water quality.

Students toured the Water Activity Hall where they visited various “stations” with interactive activities, such as DNREC’s “Living Stream” which put students “elbow deep” in stream water in search of aquatic insects, “Rainstick” that helped students build a rainstick and learn more about rain, and “Stream Erosion,” highlighting the effects of erosion and sediments on streams.

DNREC Secretary John A. Hughes joined with Water Systems Council Executive Director Kathleen Stanley and welcomed students to the festival, along with sponsors who made it possible.

 Secretary Hughes praised the efforts of the many water professionals who worked at the festival to educate young people. “So much depends upon our water resources – our health, comfort and standard of living,” he said. “The Winning Water Festival is an enriching experience for hundreds of young students and teaches water protection and conservation practices that will last a lifetime.”

Initial funding for the Winning Water Festival was provided by the Water Systems Council with additional grants provided by public and private organizations. In all, more than thirty-six entities, including DNREC, supported the festival through funding, educational and technical assistance and volunteer work.

Photos by Melanie Rapp