In honor of World Rivers Day, here are four Project WET activities from our Guide 2.0 curriculum that you can use to teach your students about the significance of our rivers!
Sum of the Parts
Sum of the Parts gets students to demonstrate how everyone contributes to river pollution as it flows through a watershed. They will learn that through both individual and collaborative group action, pollution can be reduced. This activity works best for grades 3-8 and is also available for the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.Water Crossings
In the Water Crossings activity, students participate in a water-crossing contest in which they must move their possessions (a hard-boiled egg) across a span of water (a cake pan). This activity demonstrates the influence of water-crossing on settlement patterns and the water-related transportation issues people experienced. This activity can be adapted for grades 3-12.River Talk
River Talk allows students to analyze analogies of common things to learn about watersheds. Students will identify parts and functions of a watershed, define watershed terms, describe their local watershed, and use analogies to describe a watershed. Perfect for both environmental science and language arts subjects, this activity works best for middle and high school students.Blue River
In Blue River, students participate in a whole-body exercise to simulate the movement of water through a river and its watershed. They will describe the major components of a watershed and compare and contrast the amount of water flowing through a river based on climate (seasonal variations) and weather (precipitation). The lesson culminates with students creating a hydrograph. This activity is adaptable for many grade levels, from grade 2-12.
All of these activities can be found in our Foundations of Water Education guide. Contact your local coordinator if you’re interested in receiving this book!
Why Celebrate World Rivers Day?
Celebrating World Rivers Day raises awareness about the vital role rivers play in our ecosystem and highlights the need for their protection. By engaging in these activities, students not only learn about river systems but also develop a sense of responsibility towards environmental stewardship.How to Get Involved
Join us in celebrating World Rivers Day by incorporating these educational activities into your classroom or community events. By doing so, you help foster a generation of informed and proactive individuals who are committed to protecting our precious water resources.Shop for Educational Materials
To further enhance your teaching resources, visit our Shopify store for a wide range of educational materials, including the Project WET Foundations of Water Education Guide. Empower your students with the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive impact on our world’s waterways.
Celebrate World Rivers Day with Project WET and make a difference in your community!