At age 10, Shannon Babb attended a Project WET training, an experience that would inspire her to embark on a lifelong journey in science. Now as an interdisciplinary Earth scientist, Shannon looks back on that pivotal moment when she first encountered a deeper understanding of water and its complexities, which fueled her passion for hydrology. Her story is a powerful testament to how early exposure to hands-on water education can ignite curiosity and inspire young people to make meaningful change.
Growing up in a desert community, Shannon’s understanding of water was, like many children, limited to simple conservation efforts like turning off the tap while brushing her teeth. “That’s not particularly empowering as a kid,” she recalls. But her experience with Project WET changed everything. It introduced her to the vast, interconnected stories that water tells and how it shapes our ecosystems, communities, and lives.
“I realized water isn’t a one-note story,” Shannon shared. “Water touches everything. That was one of the first times I felt empowered to make a difference.” It was this holistic view of water that helped Shannon see beyond surface-level conservation and sparked her interest in the dynamic science of hydrology. And while she always had a love for Earth science, it was the Project WET training that gave her the vocabulary and tools to understand the complexity and significance of water on our planet.
Now, Shannon is not only a scientist, but a passionate advocate for science communication. With degrees in both Earth sciences and education, she is dedicated to making science accessible to everyone, ensuring that people can connect with the often-abstract concepts of environmental issues. “A lot of environmental science is abstract,” Shannon explains. “It’s difficult to get people to care if they don’t have an initial connection. But when you give people the tools to understand the ‘why,’ they start to care.”
This philosophy is at the heart of Project WET’s mission: to inspire young minds, like Shannon’s, to become environmental stewards. Through hands-on activities, students can step into the shoes of scientists, experiencing the world of water firsthand. Shannon emphasizes that this approach empowers students by providing them with more than just facts. It offers them the opportunity to develop their own stewardship over water resources.
“Many students today are dealing with eco-grief,” Shannon notes. “They hear all about the big environmental problems but don’t feel like they can make a difference. We have to give them success stories, examples of how communities come together to solve problems. When we show them what’s possible, they light up—they see that they can be part of the solution.”
Shannon’s journey is just one of many examples of how Project WET is fostering the next generation of scientists and changemakers. Her story shows the long-lasting impact that water education can have, not just in sparking an interest in science but in creating leaders who will tackle the environmental challenges of tomorrow.
These stories remind us why supporting water education is so vital—it’s not just about learning facts; it’s about empowering young people to be the change-makers our world needs.
Join us in supporting Project WET and help us continue to inspire young minds to pursue science and create lasting change in their communities. You never know, the next Shannon Babb might be in your community, waiting for that spark.