BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kern County Water Agency is pumping kids up when it comes to saving water by putting a fun spin on education about conservation at local schools.
Each year, The Kern County Water Agency educates thousands of students about local and state water supplies and conservation, using interactive tools to teach students and adults of all ages.
"Now does anybody know, raise your hand for me, what the largest source of water is in Kern County?"
It's not your typical pop quiz.
At Walter Stiern Middle School, Sarah Clayton with the Kern County Water Agency brings the drought to the cafeteria, educating students on where our water comes from and how important it is.
"The kids are so excited and so astonished to learn how many gallons of water it takes to brush our teeth, take a shower, how many gallons of water it takes to grow the food that we eat," said Katie Irwin, a sixth grade teacher at Walter Stiern Middle School.
Through multi-media and hands-on activities, the Improvement District Number 4's Comprehensive Water Education Program teaches students how to make informed decisions about water. It puts a personal spin on how the statewide drought is impacting them.
"It's very important in particular this year because of the drought conditions that we have and so it's best to start educating people at a young age," said Tim Ruiz of the East Niles Community Services District.
The program meets California's Common Core standards while making water conservation education colorful and comprehensive.
"Kids seem to take things in better at a young age, and they're more apt to share their learning with their parents and with their friends," Ruiz said.
And, the agency hopes the lessons will trickle down to impact how others look at water.
"Until we have these conversations with them, they know we use water to take a shower, we use water to brush our teeth, but they just don't realize how either is so important in every aspect of our lives," Irwin said.
The ID4 program has teacher education workshops and assemblies for kindergarten through sixth grades. You can learn more about the water education program at the water agency's website www.kcwa.com.
Each year, The Kern County Water Agency educates thousands of students about local and state water supplies and conservation, using interactive tools to teach students and adults of all ages.
"Now does anybody know, raise your hand for me, what the largest source of water is in Kern County?"
It's not your typical pop quiz.
At Walter Stiern Middle School, Sarah Clayton with the Kern County Water Agency brings the drought to the cafeteria, educating students on where our water comes from and how important it is.
"The kids are so excited and so astonished to learn how many gallons of water it takes to brush our teeth, take a shower, how many gallons of water it takes to grow the food that we eat," said Katie Irwin, a sixth grade teacher at Walter Stiern Middle School.
Through multi-media and hands-on activities, the Improvement District Number 4's Comprehensive Water Education Program teaches students how to make informed decisions about water. It puts a personal spin on how the statewide drought is impacting them.
"It's very important in particular this year because of the drought conditions that we have and so it's best to start educating people at a young age," said Tim Ruiz of the East Niles Community Services District.
The program meets California's Common Core standards while making water conservation education colorful and comprehensive.
"Kids seem to take things in better at a young age, and they're more apt to share their learning with their parents and with their friends," Ruiz said.
And, the agency hopes the lessons will trickle down to impact how others look at water.
"Until we have these conversations with them, they know we use water to take a shower, we use water to brush our teeth, but they just don't realize how either is so important in every aspect of our lives," Irwin said.
The ID4 program has teacher education workshops and assemblies for kindergarten through sixth grades. You can learn more about the water education program at the water agency's website www.kcwa.com.