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Carson Valley Middle School Students Take Part in Nation's Largest Single-Day Water Education Event n Friday, September 26, 2003 more than 600 Carson Valley Middle School (CVMS) 7th and 8th grade students, teachers, and parent volunteers gathered at Lampe Park in Gardnerville to participate in the Make a Splash festival and learn about our most precious natural resource? WATER!
"Make a Splash" with Project WET is a day of water education celebrated nationally on the 4th Friday of September. This event is sponsored by Nestle Waters of America in partnership with Project WET USA to help raise awareness of the critical need for water education. Each year more than 60,000 participants are involved in Make a  Splash festivals across America. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), sponsor of Nevada Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), and River Wranglers ) have coordinated Make a Splash Festivals in Nevada for the past three years.
Nevada's Make a Splash festival is an academic opportunity with emphasis on environmental education in an outdoor setting. Multiple structured learning stations provide students with hands-on activities with the common theme of water. This year's learning stations were selected in coordination with a team of teachers from CVMS, and were designed to celebrate the role of water and its importance to Nevada communities, promote awareness of water resources within the Carson  River Basin, and also to meet Nevada Education Standards.
Some specific activities included The Long Haul, Get the Groundwater Picture, Celebrate Wetlands, Aquatic Insects, Map Interpretation, Healthy Water/Healthy People, and From H to OH! (See below for a complete list of activities!) Numerous agencies and individuals worked together to make the event a success. Water resource professionals from local, state and federal agencies and organizations contributed their time and expertise. Parent volunteers prepared lunch for the students, teachers and station facilitators. Our heart-felt thanks and appreciation is extended to each one of you. It is hoped that participants of the Make a Splash festival obtained a greater understanding of the environment in relation to themselves and their community.
Activity Stations Facilitators & Agency SponsorsSEVENTH GRADE STATIONSHow Avian Species Adapt to Their Environment Facilitators: Jim Lytle and Raymond Nelson-Lahontan Audubon Society Students examined birds that use the water bodies and riparian corridors of the Carson Valley and learned about behavioral adaptations (such as the migration of Canada geese and other birds) and physical adaptations (such as the physical structure of a bird's beak and feet) that enable them to exist in high desert habitat.
Celebrate Wetlands Facilitators: Ed Skudlarek-NV Division of Natural Heritage George Kerr-Washoe County School District Students discussed natural wetland functions such as groundwater recharge, flood control, and wildlife habitat and the impacts to water quality that occur when the natural functions are disrupted by human activities such as draining and filling for agriculture or development.
Aquatic Insects Facilitators: Adrienne Forbes, Chris Vasey and Ed Lynger-NV Dept. of Wildlife Pam Willard-NV Division of Environmental Protection Students examined the insect communities that live in rivers and streams and learned that these living organisms are the most direct and effective measure of a stream's water quality.
Healthy Water /Healthy People Facilitators: Kip Allander and Tim Rowe U.S. Geological Survey To form a basis for understanding the complex concepts of water chemistry, students learned how to test for routine parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and electro-conductivity. The impacts that development and recreation can have on the water quality of local watersheds were discussed.
Native Plants /Invasive Weeds Facilitators: Ed Smith-University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Mike Hayes-U.S. Department of Agriculture Students learned how to identify and distinguish native plants versus invasive weeds. The impacts that invasive weeds have on water quality were discussed.
The Long Haul Facilitators: Eva Bauer-U.S. Geological Survey Michelle Stamates-NV Division of Environmental Protection Technology and progress affect social behavior and change personal experiences. Hauling of water was common practice before technology provided a readily available supply. Students played a water-hauling game and learned about their consumptive water use.
Get the Groundwater Picture Facilitators: John Cobourn-University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and Nevan Kane-NV Division of Environmental Protection A 3-D ground water model was used to demonstrate the principals of ground water flow. Students learned that land-use practices could have long-term environmental impacts on the health of their watershed.
EIGHTH GRADE STATIONS Early Inhabitants and How They Survived Facilitators: Tom Smokey-Washoe Tribe of Nevada and Dan Kaffer-Western NV Resource, Conservation & Development Students gained an understanding of different cultural perspectives on the environment and how the environment, in turn, can influence culture. Students were encouraged to explore their own responsibilities and ethics toward the environment.
Aquifer in a Cup Facilitators: Mark O'Farrell and Sue Donaldson-Univ. of NV Cooperative Extension and Alex Wilson-River Wranglers Students built a 3-D model to study the properties (porosity and permeability) of subsurface materials. The difficulty of cleaning an aquifer once it is contaminated was discussed. Students learned that preventing contaminents from entering the water supply is everyone's responsibility.
Map Interpretation Facilitators: Anne Jeton-U.S. Geological Survey, Lou Groffman-NV Department of Transportation and Mercedes Kim and Val Frances-Douglas County Planning Students learned how to identify major topographic features, draw a drainage area, and determine the area that might be impacted downstream from a spill. Recycling Facilitators: Ann Bolinger and David Friedman – Div. of Environmental Protection Students learned how they can conserve natural resources and save energy through their behavior and actions. By recycling, they can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Water Messages in Stone Facilitators: Alanah Woody-Nevada State Museum/Nevada Rock Art Foundation and Denise Morphew-Washoe Tribe of Nevada Students learned about other cultures' perspectives and relationships with water by interpreting hieroglyphs and discerning characteristics of pictographs and petroglyphs. Students created their own symbols and rock paintings.
Clay Facilitators: Marta Magstrali and Wendy Felling-Nevada Arts Council Students were provided the opportunity for creative expression using earthen materials and water. Students discussed their own beliefs and values regarding the environment and their impact upon the earth.
From H to OH! Facilitators: Danielle Henderson amd Jason Kuchnicki – Div. Environmental Protection Students learned how the pH level of water affects aquatic chemistry and biotic communities by creating and manipulating acid and base solutions.
Parents!! A special THANK YOU to the parent volunteers who provided nourishment throughout the day!  Print This Page ( 930 KB)
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