Environmental Education Resources Directory

Water resources

Awards

• American Water Works Association Science Fair Award
  American Water Works Association
  AWWA contributes awards to regional science fairs for projects dealing with water. Students are awarded a $50 savings bond and their teachers/advisors are awarded classroom supplies. Contact AWWA for information.

Classes/workshops

• Water workshops
  American Water Works Association
  Workshops and seminars are available for teachers about the water industry and water resources. Contact AWWA for a schedule of workshops.

Curriculum materials

• Educational materials
  American Water Works Association
  AWWA produces a variety of materials useful for teaching about water resources and water treatment. The local AWWA Education Committe will assist a school system in establishing a water resource education program and will provide initial materials. Contact AWWA for additional information.

• Project WET
  Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
  A nationally developed K-12 curriculum supplemented with more than 100 science-based, interdisciplinary lessons on atmospheric water, surface water, ground water, cultural and historical uses, and contemporary management issues that have been correlated to the Virginia Standards of Learning. Materials are free to educators by attending workshops. Contact DEQ for workshop dates or to arrange a workshop.

• Water Games - water education software
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  Five water education programs are included on one diskette: "Water Conservation," "Water Trivia," "Hot Water Cost," "Drowning Man" and "How Much Water Do You Weigh?" Available from VWRRC for $5; specify IBM or Apple version.

• Groundwater Protection: What Would You Do?
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This computer software simulates groundwater protection and asks the user to find the source of well water contamination. It is appropriate for ages 13 to adult. Available from VWRRC for $5; only Apple IIe and IIc versions are available.

• Be Water Wise: Student Activity Book
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This 45-page book contains activities for grades six through 12 on water conservation, water in the environment, and water and wastewater treatment. Contact VWRRC. Single copies free to Virginia residents; others, $1.25. Fauquier County residents may request a class set from JMSWCD with one month's advance notice.

• Be Water Wise: Instructor's Guide
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This complements the Be Water Wise student handbook; it contains goals, objectives, and evaluation sections, as well as additional resource materials. Contact VWRRC. Single copies free to Virginia residents; others, $3.

• Sandcastle Moats and Petunia Bed Holes
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This 32-page illustrated book for students in grades six through eight contains information about the hydrologic cycle and Virginia's geology. Contact VWRRC. Single copies free to Virginia residents; others, $8.

• Sandcastle Moats and Petunia Bed Holes: Instructor's Guide
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This companion guide to Sandcastle Moats and Petunia Bed Holes contains hints for teaching students about groundwater and additional activities and demonstrations. Contact VWRRC. Single copies free to Virginia residents; others, $3.

• Water and Me
  Virginia's Explore Park
  This five-page brochure contains short activities designed to give elementary-age students an appreciation for water as a valuable renewable natural resource. No charge; contact VEP.

Newsletters/magazines

• Water News
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This monthly newsletter focuses on water issues in Virginia and includes a listing of current publications and conferences related to water resources. Contact VWRRC to be placed on the mailing list. Subscriptions are free to Virginia residents; others, $15 per year.

Organizational membership

• Friends of the Shenandoah
  Friends of the Shenandoah
  This organization provides a variety of educational services to groups in Rockingham, Page, Warren and Clarke counties that are interested in the preservation of the Shenandoah River. Contact FS for information on membership and services.

Outreach program

• Piankatank River Watershed Project
  Piankatank River Watershed Project
  An education project for citizens about the causes, effects and controls of runoff and ground water pollution. Workshops, water quality monitoring, cleanups and resources for schools in Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex counties. Contact PRWP's Watershed Coordinator for information on educational resources, services and events.

Outreach programs/speakers

• Teacher in-service presentations
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  One-hour to three-day presentations are available on water conservation, groundwater, drinking water protection, water resource management and educational approaches to water resources protection. Contact VWRRC for scheduling information. No charge, but travel reimbursement is required.

Publications

• Water in Your Hands John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District
  This 15-page educational comic book for upper elementary students incorporates principles of soil and water conservation. Available to Fauquier County residents. No charge; contact JMSWCD. Teachers may request a class set but must give at least one month's advance notice.

• Water Atlas of Virginia
  Tennyson Press
  An atlas of 46 maps, depicting information such as physiography, climate, hydrology, water quality and water use. Cost is $49.95, plus $7.50 shipping and handling and Virginia tax. Contact TP for details.

• Threats to Virginia's Groundwater
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This 48-page full-color booklet details the threats to Virginia's groundwater and provides suggestions for protecting groundwater from these threats. Contact VWRRC. Single copies free to Virginia residents; others, $6.

• A Guide to Septic Systems and Alternatives
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This 36-page booklet provides useful information to help citizens site and maintain home sewage systems, and includes information on alternatives to septic systems. Contact VWRRC. Single copies are free to Virginia residents; others, $8.

• Springs of Virginia
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This booklet describes the history and location of springs in Virginia, the threats to spring water quality, and management and protection approaches. Contact VWRRC. Single copies free to Virginia residents; others, $5.

• Virginia's Waters
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This 44-page book describes Virginia's river basins, lakes and groundwater. Contact VWRRC. Single copies are free to Virginia residents; others, $6.

• Facts about Virginia's Waters
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center,br> This full-color brochure describes the state's surface waters and groundwater resources and includes a colorful map of the river basins. Contact VWRRC; free, but please limit request to 30 copies.

• A Citizen's Guide to Drinking Water
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This 38-page document illustrates what constitutes contaminated water, describes water testing, and discusses drinking water contaminants. Contact VWRRC; single copies free to Virginia residents.

• Be Water Wise
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This brochure uses a cartoon format to describe ways to conserve water around the home. Available free from VWRRC; please limit request to 30 copies.

• Getting the Lead Out
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This eight-page report describes the risks and costs of lead in drinking water. Contact VWRRC. Single copies are free to Virginia residents; others, $4.

Slide shows/films

• Water: We Can't Live Without It
  National Wildlife Federation
  This 14-minute filmstrip for elementary and middle school students shows how freshwater habitats support wildlife, what threatens our water supplies, and how we can conserve this vital resource. Available for $5, plus shipping fron NWF. Also available as a slide set.

• Threats to Virginia's Groundwater
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center This 18-minute program illustrates basic groundwater concepts and the importance of groundwater to Virginians. May be borrowed at no cost (two-week advance notice required) or purchased for $50 from VWRRC. Also available as a video that can be purchased for $25.

• Groundwater: Sculptor of Caves
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This five-minute program shows how groundwater creates caves and their formations. May be borrowed at no cost from VWRRC (must reserve at least two weeks in advance); may be purchased for $35.

• From the River to the Tap
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This 12-minute slide program shows the steps in treating water to make it safe for drinking. May be borrowed at no cost from VWRRC (two weeks' advance notice required). Also available as a video.

• Waters of Virginia
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This is the companion slide program to the book Virginia's Waters. It describes the state's nine river basins. May be purchased from VWRRC for $50.

• Be Water Wise
  Virginia Water Resources Research Center
  This slide/tape program illustrates middle school students using and abusing water. Available for loan at no cost from VWRRC; please reserve at least two weeks in advance. May be purchased for $35.

Videos

• Save Our Streams: A Guide to Water Quality Monitoring
  John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District
  This 28-minute video provides a demonstration of stream monitoring techniques, including pollution problems, sampling, identifying organisms and using a stream survey. Available for loan to Fauquier County residents from JMSWCD; call or write to reserve.

Education directory table of contents

Updated 10/7/98