Water
education programs available
for schools within Helix service area
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 pre-school through high school within the Helix
Water District service area.
Using materials
developed specifically for the District, Helix staff conducts
in-class presentations and tours for K - 8th grade. Helix also
provides kits for educators in early childhood settings 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, and
with the exception of our Kindergarten flannel board story, all
presentations have hands-on components.
Kindergarten
through 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, and a children's lab 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.]
Grades 6 thru
8 can enjoy a five-station laboratory experience. The Mystery
Water Lab is brought to the school and students work to identify
the sources of two water samples by testing them for various components
using the scientific method. This lab is a very hands-on experience
for middle school youth.
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 fifteen 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 4th-grade
Admiral Splash is a very popular kit, for example.
Additionally,
Helix Water District sponsors a Project WET workshop annually.
This year's program will be held in spring at the Water Conservation
Garden. This all-day workshop provides educators with a superb
set of materials--a teacher's guide of over 500 pages of complete
lesson plans. The small fee for this workshop includes all materials
and lunch. For more information, contact the number below.
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, schedule your presentation/tour, or sign up for the
Project WET workshop, please, contact:
Katharine
Auld Breece
Public Affairs Supervisor
7811 University Avenue
La Mesa, California 91941-4927
(619) 667-6270
(619) 466-1823 (FAX)
kate.breece@helixwater.org
Educational Programs
Videos/Films (K-Adult)