EDUCATION
Groundwater
Models Shed Light on Wisconsin's 'Buried Treasure'
Teachers interested in expanding or improving their science education programs have an opportunity to receive a free groundwater model for their school.
Described as "the best visual aid available to teach about a resource you normally can't see," and "a necessity for groundwater education" by teachers who have used them, the models are designed to enhance schools' and nature centers' curricula on groundwater-Wisconsin's buried treasure.
The model consists of a plexiglass tank filled with sand that enables students to see the groundwater's path. Colored dye shows the direction that groundwater moves and can also be used to represent different pollutants as they travel throughout groundwater aquifers.
University of Wisconsin-Extension and Department of Natural Resources staff will review applications to select educators to attend a free one-day workshop conducted by groundwater specialists. At the workshop, the teacher participants will receive their model and instructions on using it, along with ideas for additional groundwater activities for the classroom. Schools will be eligible for reimbursement for substitute teachers.
Some of the factors considered in choosing educators to receive the models include:
- Having an existing or planned curriculum related to groundwater.
- Ability to use the groundwater model outside the classroom with students' families.
- Number of people and students, types of classes and grades involved.
Since 2001, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has teamed up with staff from UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey to give away the groundwater models to Wisconsin schools and nature centers. The workshops have been an effective way to educate Wisconsin's students and families about an important resource that 95 percent of Wisconsin communities rely on as their principle water supply. The workshops are supported by funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency's Wellhead Protection funds.
Three groundwater model workshops will be held on January 20, January 27 and February 3, 2010.
Applications for the workshops are due by November 2, 2009. Participants will be notified of their status during the week of December 1. Teachers who are selected will have the choice of attending a one-day workshop in Green Bay, Spooner or Mt. Horeb.
To obtain an application
or find more information, go to: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/dwg/gw/educate.htm
Contact Kevin Masarik
at 715-346-4276 or by e-mail at kmasarik@uwsp.edu
or Laura Chern at (877)268-9355 or by e-mail at laura.chern@wisconsin.gov.
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