Feb. 11, 2002 -- Ask the typical second-grader to explain where water comes from and they'll probably point to the faucet in the kitchen sink. Ask the same question to a San Antonio second grader and you'll likely get a detailed explanation of the water cycle and maybe even a color-coded diagram.
That's because San Antonio Water System's H2O University has partnered with three San Antonio School Districts - Northside ISD, San Antonio ISD and Somerset ISD - to provide a comprehensive curriculum focusing on water issues. Additionally, SAWS aids the city's other 12 school districts with water education programs.
Although SAWS has committed resources to providing education programs to the community since the system's inception in May 1992, H2O University is a new initiative, which began in January 2002. The University unifies all of the water system's youth education programs, distilling them into one focused program that has a goal of developing a water-literate citizenry.
Currently, H2O University provides a curriculum for students in kindergarten through second grade; however, the university is developing programs for 3rd through 5th graders, 6th through 8th, and 9 through 12. These programs will come online over the next three years.
The theme of H2O University is "From Science to Citizenship," because younger students will focus on science, like the water cycle, geology; and math, while higher grades will look more at social issues, such as conservation and pollution prevention.
"We want to inspire young people to take an interest in water and become environmental stewards," said Greg Wukasch, a SAWS education specialist and the "dean" of H2O University. "Today's San Antonio students are tomorrow's water consumers, protectors and policymakers."
Children participating in the university's K-2nd program learn their H2O "ABCs," so to speak. Students follow the adventures of Watershed Willie and Cactus Callie while learning about the water cycle, water conservation, and pollution prevention, as well as other water-related topics.
SAWS has geared the program toward educating San Antonio teachers about water subjects, who then in turn teach their students. Each educator enrolled in the program receives training, the curriculum, posters, and 24-page workbooks for every student. Later this year, SAWS will inaugurate the Educators' Institute, which is a three-day curriculum-training program. Teachers who complete the program will receive credit from both the state and their local school districts.
The curriculum offers educators the flexibility to teach the material several ways. "What we've heard from teachers is that they want choices, which we've given them," Wukasch said.
Many instructors teach the material over a four- or five-day period, spending about an hour a day completing the 19 activities in the workbook. Some of the activities include building an aquifer in a cup, coloring the water cycle, and creating a water cycle in a bag. SAWS developed the curriculum and all the materials in-house, which not only cut down on costs but also resulted in a program that is localized and features San Antonio themes. Educators have warmly received the program because it aids them in the instruction of mandated Texas Education Agency topics.
"Second-graders in Texas public schools have to learn about the water cycle," Wukasch said. "We try to make it fun and creative for educators to teach. They know teaching, we know water and we're trying to marry the two together."
With the introduction of H2O University, the San Antonio Water System continues to build upon its innovative and successful education programs. In 1999, the SAWS youth education program won the Watermark Award from the American Water Works Association. Last year, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission recognized SAWS, presenting it the Environmental Excellence Award for Education.
To learn more about SAWS education programs, you can visit the SAWS website at www.saws.org.
