World Water Day Goes Virtual
The Champlain Basin Education Initiative (CBEI) hosted the Lake Champlain Celebration of World Water Day on March 23rd. We couldn’t meet to celebrate the student work in person, but 22 classrooms with more than 220 students and adults participated in the on-line event. The CBEI partners were truly impressed with the dedication of so many teachers willing to creatively undertake one more project during the pandemic. Their dedicated efforts are a testament to coaching the next generation of stewards who are caring for Lake Champlain.
Congratulations to teachers and students from Keene Central School (Keene, NY), Boquet Valley (Westport, NY), Camel’s Hump Middle School (Richmond, VT), and Hunt Middle School and Champlain Elementary, (both located in Burlington, VT). Each class was recognized for their efforts and awarded materials to continue studying about the Champlain watershed in unique ways.
From rain barrel supplies to backpacks filled with binoculars and field trip resource guides, the awards will help them learn even more about the watershed. Two schools with multiple classes were awarded Dino Lite microscopes to deepen their connection to natural resources. And, since Champlain Elementary engaged a record breaking 16 classrooms (K-5) in projects involving the giant watershed map created by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Castleton College, they will benefit from a school Popsicle Party this spring!
Teachers submitted student art, photography, videos, science presentation entries, some of which included poetry and creative writing. Grab some coffee and tour our CBEI World Water Day Student Work Gallery.
Neil Patterson Jr, a faculty member from SUNY ESF Center for Native Peoples and the Environment presented an inspiring keynote address, Water Is Life. Neil’s work celebrates, restores and builds relationships between indigenous communities and their aboriginal territory.
Stay tuned for details about the 2022 World Water Day Celebration, which coincides with the 50th Anniversary of U.S. Clean Water Act. The United Nations has celebrated World Water Day on March 22nd since 1993, and the CBEI partnership has hosted a regional event each year during that week since 2014.