650 Fifth Graders Dive into Water Education at Kauai Festival

Over 650 fifth-grade students participated in a comprehensive water education event at the Vidinha Stadium soccer fields on March 15, 2024. The festival, titled “Make a Splash with Project WET,” was organized by the Department of Water (DOW) in collaboration with various community partners. Project WET, which stands for “Water Education Today,” is designed to engage students with hands-on experiences that align with educational standards including the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Make a Splash festival, which is unique to Kauai as the only single-day water education initiative for fifth graders in Hawaii. Students from numerous local schools, including Elsie Wilcox Elementary School and Kapaa Elementary School, engaged in activities aimed at fostering an understanding of water resources and the challenges they face.

Joe Tait, the manager and Chief Engineer of DOW, emphasized the department’s commitment to water education. “We hope to inspire them to protect, conserve, and best manage Kauai’s water resources for generations to come,” he stated. The festival brought together volunteers from the neighbor island’s Department of Water, demonstrating a collaborative effort to educate young learners.

Hands-On Learning Experience

Participants rotated through eight interactive activity stations guided by the Project WET Foundation’s curriculum. Instructors included water department professionals, community members, and specially-trained cadets from the Kapaa High School JROTC. Topics covered ranged from the water cycle and source pollution to groundwater extraction and marine mammal rescue.

One of the standout activities, known as “The Long Haul,” involved students competing in a bucket brigade competition to fill a barrel with water. The excitement of the relay races, combined with the playful involvement of DOW professionals, resulted in laughter and camaraderie among students and instructors alike.

Alongside DOW, various partner agencies contributed to the festival’s success. These included organizations such as Aqua Engineers, the City and County of Honolulu, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), among others. Their collective efforts underscore the importance of community collaboration in addressing water education.

Future of Water Education

The Make a Splash festival not only equips students with essential knowledge about water management but also emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices. As communities face increasing water challenges, initiatives like this play a vital role in shaping informed future stewards of water resources.

The event concluded with a sense of accomplishment, as students left with not only newfound knowledge but also a greater appreciation for the vital role water plays in their lives and the environment. The DOW’s ongoing commitment to educational programs like Project WET ensures that the message of conservation and responsible water use will continue to resonate with the youth of Kauai for years to come.