Published: Jun 28, 2013 | 21:09 PM

Time to Book Water Education Programs

Irvine Ranch Water District and the Discovery Science Center are entering into the fifth year of a partnership to provide kindergarten through eighth grade classroom water education programs for schools in the IRWD service area. Since 2007, more than 35,000 elementary school students have participated in water education assemblies, while more than 5,000 middle school students have participated in the water quality programs.

“Beat the fall rush and schedule your educational programs now,” advises Shannon Reed, IRWD Public Affairs Manager.

For more than 30 years, IRWD has been providing water education programs in local classrooms, ensuring that students have an appreciation for the precious resource of water in arid Southern California.

Accompanying each K-6 grade program are grade-specific educational booklets featuring the IRWD mascot, Aqua Duck. These programs use individual student response keypad technology for interactive learning. Grade specific topics include the forms of water, water as a resource, ecosystems, the water cycle, water sources, water recycling, energy and resources and California’s water.

Middle school age students can take advantage of a series of career-linked, hands-on water chemistry and environmental resources lessons. Students visit the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh where they sample and test water from the Natural Treatment System ponds and learn how wastewater from their homes is recycled for reuse in the community.