CWN Project WET Application 2008

• Water Efficiency Grant Type: Public Education & Outreach Grant
• Contract/PO #: C154113
• Applicant: Colorado Watershed Network
• Project Name: Project WET funding
• Title: Grant Application
• Date: 3/19/2008
• County: Statewide
• Water Efficiency - Doc Type: Application

Application for Water Effi.ciency Grant Program: Colorado Watershed Net\vork

Application for Water Efficiency Grant Program

1. Name and contactio.formation ofpubli!c agency seeking grant.

Project Sponsor and Primary Contact Person
Name: Jo Scarbeary
Agency Name: Colorado Watershed Network
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 21935
Denver, CO 80221
Phone Number: [phone]
Fax Number: [phone]
E-Mail: J o. Scarbearvcq2coloradowatershed. org

Overview and Background: Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an
internationally recognized water education program that provides high quality
curriculum r'esources and training for over 30,000 educators annually throughout the
United States and around the world. A water education. program written by teachers
and water professionals, Project WET is founded on the belief that youth need to
develop an a\vareness and appreciation of how water is used in everyday life if they
are to understand what is happening to our water resources and take action to
protect and conserve our limited natural resources. This awareness to action
continuum is esselltial to cultivating stewardship and building the skills necessary to
solve the complex environmental problems of the future.

Project WET is a :natural fit with the Colorado Watershed Net\vorks mission of
"promoting the health of Colorado's watersheds through nonbiased community based
science and s'upport" The driving philosophy behind Project WET is to teach youth
how to think, not lvhat to think by developing critical thinking skills. The Project
WET Curriculum and Activity Guide is an award-winning K-12 resource of over 90
lessons that teach about the many aspects of water. Each activity is tested in hundreds
of classrooms before being included in the guide. "I think the Project WET book has
been intelligently written for educators. The activities are great, including tenific
background information" says a Boulder elementary school teacher.

A 1999 survey afProject WET educators showed that 95% of teachers felt Project
WET had a positive impact on students' interest in water issues. The only way
teachers can get the innovative Project WET Activity Guide is by attending a
workshop taught by a trained Project WET facilitator. COlUlecting educators with
local water professionals and curriculum resources through workshops and trainings
gives them extra tools to effectively teach students about water resource conservation~
According to a Fort Collins junior high school teacher, "Water is part of the
curriculum at every level and teachers need ready resources in order to make the topic
relevant and engaging. Project WET isEXACTL Y what teachers need to help us
teach about water. The activities are field-tested, high-q,uality, and easy to use. The
resource is tremendously valuable,. b,ecause there are so many relevant, standards-
based topics included in one book that it is very easy to find a lesson quickly no

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