NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
May 8, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 207
For more information contact Melanie H. Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. Photos of the festival are available by contacting DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Winning Water Festival Uncovers the Value of Water Resources for Students
Students from Fourteen Delaware and Maryland Schools Attend
(Dover, Del.) Students from fourteen Delaware and Maryland schools were educated and entertained at the 3rd annual Delaware/Maryland Winning Water Festival on May 8 at Delaware Technical and Community College in Dover. The festival engaged the more than 1500 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.
DNREC Secretary John A. Hughes joined with Water Systems Council Executive Director Kathleen Stanley and welcomed VIPs and sponsors of the festival. In his remarks, Secretary Hughes praised the efforts of the many water professionals to eduate you people. “So much depends upon our water resources – our health, comfort and standard of living,” said Hughes. “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.”
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 to learn about rain, and “Stream Erosion,” highlighting the effects of erosion and sediments on streams.
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.
