By Rebecca Gold Rubin
Parents and teachers know that children learn best when they are engaged with the subject being taught.
A proven method to get them engaged is through entertainment and direct interaction — the two main ingredients in the water education assemblies that are sponsored each year by the Soquel Creek Water District.
The District partners with professional performers to bring lively and entertaining water education assemblies to our service area elementary schools in Soquel, Capitola, Aptos, and La Selva Beach, as well as Live Oak where our Pure Water Soquel Purification Center is being built.
Why Water Assemblies?
Elementary school children are in the early stages of their educational journey, and it is a great time to instill in them an understanding and appreciation of the importance of responsible water usage.
Earthcapades
One of the best ways to achieve this is through water education assemblies that provide an interactive and engaging experience where students can learn about the value of water.
They also learn how they can have a positive impact on their community, and hopefully be part of the next generation of informed and environmentally conscious individuals.
Awareness
Water education assemblies are an entertaining way to raise awareness among elementary school children about the role water plays in their daily lives.
The interactive assemblies engage students with visual aids, singing, and dancing, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the importance of our shared watersheds and the role they can play in their preservation.
Environmental Responsibility
The assemblies also provide an opportunity to instill a sense of environmental responsibility in young minds.
By explaining the environmental impacts of water waste and pollution, the assemblies encourage students to become active participants in using water wisely and protecting our environment. Our assemblies include information on the water cycle, where their water comes from, water pollution sources, the importance of using water wisely, and recycling water.
Behavior Change
Water education assemblies have the potential to bring about changes in behavior among our elementary school children.
Banana Slugs String Band
By providing students with information about water conservation and its positive impacts on the environment, assemblies can inspire them to adopt efficient water practices in their daily lives.
Whether it is turning off faucets when not in use, using water-efficient appliances, or reducing shower times, children learn how small changes in their behavior can add up to big changes for water conservation efforts.
Assemblies also emphasize the importance of spreading awareness and inspiring others, creating a ripple effect within families and communities.
Building Lifelong Habits
Introducing water education at assemblies in elementary schools can build the foundation for lifelong habits of responsible water usage.
When children are exposed to these concepts early on, they are more likely to incorporate them into their daily lives and carry them into adulthood. By fostering an understanding of water as a precious and finite resource, assemblies encourage students to become responsible stewards of the environment, promoting sustainability and conservation in their future actions.
Performers
Four different performing groups are rotated through schools every year to keep assemblies interesting for our schools.
These talented, professional groups perform all over the country using different forms of entertainment — from singing, to juggling, to playing instruments — as they educate and entertain the students.
Our performers are the Banana Slug String Band, EarthCapades, Rock Steady Juggling, and ZunZun. To learn more about the performers and who is performing for the 2023-24 school year visit soquelcreekwater.org/275/Water-Education-Assemblies
These assemblies empower students to make a positive impact on water conservation efforts by raising awareness, promoting environmental responsibility, fostering problem-solving skills, encouraging behavior change, and building lifelong habits.
Educating children about water’s importance, and the role they can play in using it wisely, sets the stage for a more sustainable future, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the knowledge and motivation to protect this vital resource.
•••
As always, if you have any questions about this month’s topic or anything else related to Soquel Creek Water District, feel free to contact us at outreach@soquelcreekwater.org or visit soquelcreekwater.org.