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The following information represents a reprint of an Issue Paper titled "Water Education" contained within the Nevada State Water Plan.
Introduction
As the driest state in the nation and one of the fastest growing, it is important that Nevada's residents understand the fundamental science of water, how water is managed in the state, and the issues affecting water management.  An educated populace is clearly a key to future management of water resources, and therefore, water education must become a priority.
Benefits of Water Education
The overall goal of water education is to develop more knowledgeable citizens who can participate in public discussion and debate about water issues. Information improves people's ability to examine and evaluate information presented - and the information that is not presented. With a basic understanding of water, residents can respond intelligently to issues such as the need to develop water supplies or wastewater treatment facilities, the benefits and costs of conservation, the dangers associated with leaking contaminants, the risks posed by poor water quality, the benefits and costs of river restoration or flood control. With education, people can form their own opinions based on data and information, and rely less on emotion or rhetoric.
It is especially important that Nevada's children learn about water so that they develop an appreciation for the unique role water plays in the development of our state and become informed citizens who can think critically and evaluate information intelligently throughout their lives. Water as a topic has natural links to science, math, social studies, and language and is an excellent unifying curricular theme. Water attracts kids and learning about it can be interesting and fun, encouraging both a greater appreciation of the environment and a greater interest in selecting science and math oriented careers.
Project WET
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is a science and math education enhancement program focused on grades K-12. It is an interdisciplinary program intended to supplement a school's existing curriculum.
The mission of National Project WET is to increase awareness, appreciation, knowledge and stewardship of water resources. Project WET offers Nevada's teachers classroom-ready teaching aids such as activity guides, lesson plans, groundwater and watershed models, computer simulations, publications and a network of specialists to call upon, so that incorporating water education into the classroom is easy for teachers and interesting for children.
National Project WET began in the 1980's at the University of North Dakota. The program's founder, Dennis Nelson, eventually moved to the University of Montana where the program is headquartered today. Forty states in the country have Project WET programs. In Nevada, the Division of Environmental Protection currently sponsors the program with help from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The Division of Environmental Protection operates the program under a cooperative agreement with National Project WET. National WET continues to establish guiding principles and standards for the program, develop new educational materials, sponsor national meetings for Project WET coordinators in all the participating states and assist with fund raising.
There are over 12,000 K-12 teachers in Nevada. Of these, approximately 700 have taken the 15-hour, 1-credit Project WET course. The course is accredited through the University of Nevada in both Reno and Las Vegas, Sierra Nevada College, Western Nevada Community College in Carson City and Fallon, and Brigham Young University in Salt Lake City. It is available for both graduate and undergraduate credit and for teacher in-service credit. Evaluations for the program have been outstanding. The only issues have concerned the large amount of information to be mastered, the desire to have more frequent classes in all areas of Nevada and the desire to obtain advanced training.
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