Splish, splash, they had a blast: County hosts water education festival for Kauaʻi fifth-graders

Kauaʻi County Department of Water hosted the 20th annual Make a Splash with Project WET water education festival last month at the North Vidinha Soccer Fields in Līhuʻe, engaging nearly 700 fifth-graders from various Garden Island schools.

Project WET — or Water Education Today — empowers educators to engage youth and help them understand water so they can solve local and global challenges.

The hands-on, investigative activities prepare students for the water resource challenges of this century.

Project WET is based on Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Educational Coalition objectives.

“[Department of Water] is committed to educating our young people on the issue of water,” said Kauaʻi County Department of Water Chief Engineer and Manager Joe Tait in a county release recapping last month’s event. “We hope to inspire them to protect, conserve and best manage Kauaʻiʻs water resources for generations to come.”

The following schools participated:

• ʻEleʻele Elementary School.
• Elsie H. Wilcox Elementary School.
• Hanalei Elementary School.
• Island School.
• Kanuikapono Public Charter School.
• Kapaʻa Elementary School.
• Kauaʻi Christian Academy.
• Kekaha Elementary School.
• Kīlauea Elementary School.
• King Kaumualiʻi Elementary School.
• Kōloa Elementary School.

This year’s Make a Splash with Project WET featured eight different activity stations.

Students learned about important topics such as:

• The movement of water through the water cycle.
• Source pollution.
• Groundwater extraction.
• Water management challenges.
• The impact of water consumption on the local water supply.
• Waterʻs adhesive and cohesive properties.
• Environmental restoration.
• Marine mammal rescue and response/
• Water conservation.
• The concept of a person’s “water footprint.”

Water Department employees worked tirelessly to make sure this year’s event was successful — and impactful — for the students.

The effort is always worthwhile when smiles are seen on the students’ faces.

One of the most popular activities is “The Long Haul.” In this relay race, students compete while carrying buckets of water. By the end, everyone is super soaked.

“Itʻs a fantastic way to have fun and create lasting memories,” the department release said.

Make a Splash with Project WET received support this year from a grant provided by Hawaiʻi Community Foundation.

The department plans to use the grant funds to enhance community engagement through increased educational outreach focused on water conservation awareness and behaviors.

Contact Kauaʻi County Department of Water at 808-245-5461 or via email at publicrelations@kauaiwater.org for additional information.