What is Project WET?

• A nationally developed, K-12 environmental education program which utilizes water as its theme.
• Project WET is designed for delivery to formal and informal teachers.
• Lab exercises and activities are designed to be utilized as a supplement with existing classroom curricula.

The Curriculum:

The core Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide is a collection of more than 90 innovative, interdisciplinary activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun.

Advanced curricula:

• The “Conserve Water” Educator’s Guide
• The Watershed Manager Educator’s Guide
• Discover a Watershed: The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo
• Healthy Water Healthy People (water quality)

Project WET supports the No Child Left Behind Act; curricula materials cover diverse topics and disciplines and are designed with a commitment to state, provincial and national education standards. Materials designed to promote critical thinking and problem solving skills are developed, field tested and reviewed by hundreds of educators and resource managers nationwide. Project WET provides high-quality professional development for teachers and non-formal educators through workshops designed around scientifically sound subject matter, practices that have been proven to be effective and a long-term network of support.

For information on Project WET USA programs and materials, visit the Project WET

Introduction

Since the creation of WERC in 1990, one of the prime objectives of the program has been to solve environmental problems. This is accomplished by combining research and education in a way that benefits the student, the researcher and ultimately, the nation.

The technology development projects are intended to provide financial support for students and faculty, laboratory resources, supplies, materials, technical focus and other elements needed to educate the students and assist the faculty in exploring new and innovative techniques that address environmental and health related issues. WERC consortium member institutions are invited to submit a proposal for funding consideration.

How are the workshops organized?

• Workshops are available in 6-hour and 15-hour formats.
• Cross-curricula activities are presented to meet specific New Mexico grade-level standards.
• Participants receive free training and curriculum guides that include reproducible classroom activities.
• Many WET workshops are offered for college credit through local community colleges or universities.

Who are the Project WET trainers?

Trained facilitators, including teachers and outreach educators.

How do I request a workshop?

Contact a Project WET Facilitator near you for workshop planning.

Albuquerque/Santa Fe

• Cheri Vogel, Office of the State Engineer
  Phone 505-827-4272, cvogel@ose.state.nm.us
• Michele Mykris, NM Environment Dept.
  Phone 505-827-0418, michele_mykris@nmenv.state.nm.us
• Julie Arvidson, NM Environment Dept.
  Phone 505-476-3069, julie_arvidson@nmenv.state.nm.us
• Erin Murphy, NM Environment Dept.
  Phone 505-476-2170, erin_murphy@nmenv.state.nm.us
• Jeffrey Atencio, City of Santa Fe.
  Phone 505-955-4220, jdatencio@santafenm.gov
• Richard Becker, Leopold Education Program.
  Phone 505-255-7156, crbecker@swcp.com
• Jim Butscher
  Phone 505-294-8958, jhbutscher@aol.com

Alamogordo

• Kathy Denton, White Sands Natl. Mon.
  Phone 575-679-2599 ext. 231, kathy_denton@nps.gov
• Peg Crim, U.S. Forest Service-Lincoln
  Phone 575-434-7200, pcrim@fs.fed.us
• Cathy Kerska, NMSU-A
  Phone 575-439-3738, ckerska@nmsua.nmsu.edu

Carlsbad

• Ray Nance, Carlsbad H.S.
  Phone 575-234-3319 ext. 230, raymond.nance@carlsbad.k12.nm.us
• Peg Sorensen, Bureau of Land Mgmt.
  Phone 575-234-5983, peg_sorensen@blm.gov

Deming

• Susan Swope, Hofacket Mid-High School
  Phone 575-546-4863, jswope@zianet.com

Espanola/San Juan Pueblo

• Lupe Griego, San Juan Pueblo
  Phone 505-852-4225, lupegriego@la-tierra.com

Farmington

• Mark Everson, Bioregional Outdoor Education Project
  Phone 575-327-0228, markeverson27@hotmail.com

Gallup

• Ally Snell, Americorps/VISTA
  Phone 575-879-0892, snelly_21@hotmail.com
• Valerie Wendell, Americorps/VISTA
  Phone 575-722-8882, wendellval@aol.com

Las Cruces

• Joshua Rosenblatt, City of Las Cruces
  Phone 575-528-3549, jrosenblatt@las-cruces.org

Las Vegas

• Cordell Arellano, La Jicarita Enterprise Community
  Phone (800) 458-7323, atole1_3@hotmail.com

Portales

• Jerry Everhart, ENMU-College of Ed.
  Phone 575-562-4311, jerry.everhart@enmu.edu

Silver City

• Steve Blake, USFS-Gila; Phone 388-8266, sfblake@fs.fed.us

Taos

• Ryan Weiss, Eight Northern Indian Pueblos
  Phone 575-747-0700, ryan@taosnet.com
• Emily Geery, Eight Northern Indian Pueblos
  Phone 575-256-5103, emilygeery@yahoo.com

Community Outreach: Make a Splash with Project WET, Water Festival

Make a Splash with Project WET is a national day of water education. It is celebrated across the United States with water festivals, which are educational, fun and interactive water celebrations where students explore a diversity of water-related topics. See all the fun details and flash animation water education activities on the web at http://www.projectwetusa.org/makeasplash.html. Since 1999 WERC has presented this event to thousands of students at communities across New Mexico. Ask about hosting your own “Splash” water festival.

New Mexico Children’s Material

Discover the Waters of New Mexico is a 16-page regional activity booklet written for children ages 8-12. This booklet explores New Mexico’s water history, different state climate zones, ecosystems, and the future of New Mexico’s water. Hands-on activities, stories, and experiments give kids a chance to understand water issues specific to New Mexico. See a full description and ordering information at the Project Wet USA online bookstore.

Who do I contact for more information?

Bryan Swain, Program Specialist