Before we know it, water conservation, watershed protection, and water quality will become the responsibility of the younger generation. That is the reason Helix Water District produces water education programs for students within the Helix Water District service area.

Using materials developed specifically for the District, Helix staff conducts in-class presentations for 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades and tours for 5th grades. Helix also provides kits for educators in early childhood settings, Water Times - consumable materials for 6th grade, and high school kits for grades 9 thru 12.

State Content Standards and Grade Appropriate Materials
All programs are correlated to grade-appropriate California State Content Standards and have been developed to encompass all learning styles. Many come with pre- and post-classroom activities. All presentations have hands-on components.

1st-, 3rd-, and 4th-grade programs are brought to the classroom and presented by highly trained Helix staff members. All materials for these presentations are provided by Helix--school staff need only give the presenter a space to work and a table on which to place equipment.

Fifth-grade students tour the R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant in Lakeside. Helix purchases bus transportation for these tours through the local school districts. The tour features animated videos, developed specifically for the R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant that explain the water treatment and ozonation processes.

Helix is the first water district in San Diego County to use ozone to disinfect water. In addition, exhibits, displays, hands-on models, sound and light shows gain and keep students' attention. Tours are approximately two hours in duration and are subject to security regulations. [Pre-visit identification of all adults, no cameras, no cell phones, no back packs, no purses.]

Sixth-grade students are supplied with Water Times, a newspaper filled with water history, science, math, and language arts curriculum. The materials are brought to the classroom to be kept and used for additional lessons.

Pre-school/Kindergarten & High School Kit Loans
Pre-school/Kindergarten and high school have kits available for one-month loans. The Pre-school/Kindergarten kit is a water table in a box with nineteen pre-made lesson plans and all the equipment to complete the activities therein.

The High School kit features pre-made lesson plans dealing with local, national, and international water issues. It also has CDs and videos that explore water history, law, and economics. The kit features research materials and maps, as well as novels with water themes.

Water Conservation Garden Tours - A Special Attraction
Helix Water District is a member of the Water Conservation Garden located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon. The Garden features exhibits of water-wise landscaping and has educational materials available to students. Specialized Water Conservation Garden tours can be arranged upon request. Transportation is not available for this tour.

Educator Materials, Training, and Mini-Grants
Helix Water District also provides a number of in-class materials for educators. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California produces high-quality educational materials, and Helix provides them free of charge to educators within the District. The 5th-grade Admiral Splash is a very popular kit, for example.

Mini-grants for up to $250 are available to educators for specific water related programs within their schools. Funds can be used for water education books, classroom equipment, rental of the San Diego County Mobile Splash Lab or Green Machine, or other activities. For Mini-grant applications contact the number below.
To reserve your kit or schedule your presentation/tour please contact:

Francine Thompson
Teaching Assistant
7811 University Avenue
La Mesa, California 91942-4927
(619) 667-6264
(619) 466-1823 (FAX)
francine.thompson@helixwater.org