Woonasquatucket River “Do’s & Don’ts” Education Program
Program Summary 2001-2002
Who:
Presentations are given by Kate Bousquet tothird grade classes as a free service, per invitation from teachers in Elementary Schools within the watershed area in Smithfield, Johnston, North Providence & Providence. (A watershed area describes the land from which water sheds or flows on its way into a water body—here that water body is the Woonasquatucket River!)
This program is funded through an Environmental Education & Environmental Justice Grant, provided by the U.S. EPA. The “Do’s & Don’ts” Education Program has been developed and refurbished by the Health and Education Subcommittee of the Urban Rivers Team. This is the third year that this grant has been entrusted to the Northern RI Conservation District from the US EPA.
What:
The “Do’s & Don’ts for the Woonasquatucket River” Program informs and educates residents of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed of the health & environmental risks, and safety measures associated with the contamination that has been found in the Woonasquatucket River.
The Classroom Educational Program consists of an hour and a half (1.5 hours) with each classroom. We incorporate valuable safety and watershed education in a slideshow that takes students on a virtual boat ride down the river. Following the slideshow, concepts are reinforced through a fishing “catch and release” activity, map discussion, and a non-point source pollution model that enable students to see the effects of pollution on water bodies.
When:
Classroom presentations will be available on specific dates, 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., from now until the end of May.
Where:
Presentations are offered to teachers whose schools are located within the Woonasquatucket River Watershed. Presentations will occur in the school classroom. Kate Bousquet will be the one traveling—not the schools!
Why:
The goal of this program is to empower students with basic knowledge about water pollution and the effects pollution may have on human health. Students will gain discernment for which activities (near the river) are safe for them to be participating in, and those, which are unsafe; as well as what activities result in water pollution. The program enhances the existing water curriculum and natural resource science. We feel it is important to teach kids who live near the Woonasquatucket River how to keep themselves, their families and friends safe from the contamination of the river, plus what things they can do to help minimize the non-point source pollution that reaches the river through improved environmental awareness.