DWR Teacher Workshops Increase Access to Water Education

DWR recently celebrated 10 years of educator workshops focused on climate change and the state’s water resources. These workshops are a key part of DWR’s commitment to supporting education about water and climate resiliency for California’s schoolchildren.

DWR offers these workshops to teachers and environmental education professionals in partnership with the Water Education Foundation, who coordinates training for Project Water Education Today (Project WET) curriculum for California. Educator workshops include presentations by DWR environmental scientists about water and climate change, and Project WET curriculum training. After the training, participants receive Project WET guides and access to lesson plans for over 60 water-focused activities for all grade levels. By participating in these workshops, educators increase their knowledge of California’s water resources as well as local and statewide mitigation and adaptation efforts to build climate resiliency. They go home prepared to share these science-based lessons with their students through hands-on, engaging activities.

In 10 years of these workshops, DWR has trained nearly 1,000 teachers, reaching over 250,000 students. “This investment in teacher education is an opportunity for DWR to help educators gain a better understanding of California’s water resources and climate change impacts and solutions,” said Karen Swan, water education specialist at DWR. “When teachers have confidence in their own knowledge, they are more prepared and excited to share with their students.”

The most recent workshop was held in February in Stockton, in partnership with San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). "We strive to ensure our region's teachers have the resources and knowledge they need to teach about science and environmental literacy topics that impact our communities,” said Tamara Basepayne, SJCOE director of STEM programs & outdoor education. “Teachers appreciate getting to interact with scientists who are on the ground doing this work every day. It helps them bring a passion for science and local resources to their community.”

Educators who work with students in grades 3-12 are invited to participate in the next workshop on May 3 in Imperial County, hosted in partnership with the Imperial Irrigation District. To register or find information about this or other Project WET workshops as they are scheduled, visit the California Project WET website at https://www.watereducation.org/project-wet-workshops.