Why Project WET?

Project WET has long-standing experience in water resources education, a proven methodology and a voice through its robust worldwide network of partners.

In 2009, Project WET celebrates its 25th anniversary. Project WET’s experience has allowed it to evolve, from providing awareness of water resources to empowering students to take action in their communities to help solve local water-resource issues (ActionEducation™).

These ActionEducation projects contribute to a healthier local environment and economy. On a worldwide scale, Project WET helps students recognize the relationship between the availability of clean water and global stability.

Project WET is active in 42 countries on five continents. Its materials have been translated into several languages, including:

* Japanese.

* Hungarian.

* Spanish.

* French.

* Arabic.

* Italian.

* Vietnamese.

Students, teachers, community and business leaders of diverse cultures, often with different learning styles, use Project WET. Tested with thousands worldwide, Project WET materials have proven successful because they are:

* interactive.

* multisensory.

* adaptable.

* contemporary (teaching 21st century skills).

* relevant.

* solution-oriented (ActionEducation™).

* accurate.

* science-based.

* measurable.

Project WET works with and relies upon the expertise of an incredible network of partners. Project WET has completed projects for many organizations, including:

* NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

* U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

* U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

* U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

* USAID.

* United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-International Hydrological Programme.

* World Meterological Organization.

Project WET coordinators are funded by agencies, universities, non-government organizations, utilities and museums to conduct Project WET within their community, region, state or country.

Why Water Education?

“It is widely agreed that education is the most effective means that society possesses for confronting the challenges of the future. Indeed, education will shape the world of tomorrow.”

—UNESCO, 1997

Over the past quarter-century, global water problems have continued to escalate. Every day, the quality and quantity of water resources affect the health and well-being of nearly seven billion people on the planet. Yet one in eight do not have access to clean and abundant water. Water education has never been more critical. As schools, homes and businesses “go green,” water education has a major role to play. Through water education, individuals:

* identify their watershed address.

* discover their role in the hydrological cycle.

* recognize that water knows no boundaries—flowing through and connecting us all.

Our future is tightly bound to water. Global water issues must be addressed through greater public involvement at all socio-economic levels, among all water users and across all borders. People must be provided a deeper understanding of our complex environmental issues and the skills necessary to undertake the challenges of this century. Sustainable water management is crucial to secure social and economic stability, as well as a healthy environment – achievable only as a result of cooperation and a commitment to education.

What is Project WET?

Since 1984, Project WET, an award-winning nonprofit organization, has dedicated itself to the mission of reaching children, parents, teachers and community members of the world with water education. Project WET achieves its mission of worldwide water education by:

* publishing water resource materials in several languages.

* providing training workshops on diverse water topics (i.e., watersheds, water quality, water conservation).

* organizing community water events, such as Make a Splash with Project WET water festivals and the Global Water Education Village™.

* building a worldwide network of educators, water resource professionals and scientists.

Project WET publications, training workshops, global network and community events are grounded in Project WET’s core beliefs.

* Water connects us all: Water moves through living and nonliving systems and binds them together in a complex web of life.

* Water for all water users: Water of sufficient quality and quantity is vital for all water users (energy producers, farmers and ranchers, fish and wildlife, manufacturers, recreationists, rural and urban dwellers).

* Managing water sustainably: Sustainable water management is crucial for providing tomorrow’s children with social and economic stability in a healthy environment.

* Personal responsibility for water resources: Awareness of and respect for water resources can encourage a personal, lifelong commitment of responsibility and positive community participation.