State Water Resources Research Institute Program


Project ID: 2012GU216B
Title: Teaching Teachers about Guam's Water Resources and 'Guam Water Kids': 1 Credit Hour Continuing Education Course with Guam Department of Education, Professional & International Program-University of Guam, and WERI
Project Type: Education
Start Date: 3/01/2012
End Date: 2/28/2013
Congressional District: N/A
Focus Categories: Education, Non Point Pollution, Conservation
Keywords: Water resources, teacher training, aquifer, groundwater, surface water, watershed, Guam, hydrological cycle, ground water, non-source pollution, non-point pollution, conservation, fresh water, water supply, education
Principal Investigator: Card, Arretta Ann
Federal Funds: $ 10,725
Non-Federal Matching Funds: $ 0
Abstract: The WERI Advisory Council for Guam has identified two critical water resources needs for research, education and training that have not as yet been fully addressed. They are: (1) the development of a teacher training course about water resources and (2) educational training and outreach programs about the importance of protecting and preserving watersheds and water resources, which as specifically advised "should begin with elementary schools in order to instill the importance of these issues at a young age."

In response to these needs and other indicators as described herein, we are requesting funds to:

  1. Develop a continuing education course with the objective of offering an opportunity for Guam elementary and middle school teachers to gain knowledge and awareness of fresh water issues and sufficient science background and instructional methods for effective use of the "Guam Water Kids" educational program for ongoing, extensive classroom use;
  2. Offer 15 hours of instruction (1-hour continuing education credit) in Fall 2012 to 25 course participants recruited from the Guam school teachers and conducted in a team teaching format using academic and community professionals in "hands on" experiences;
  3. Chronicle class meetings especially demonstrations in classroom, field discovery and the "learning experiences" developed by course participants to be saved for use in future semesters;
  4. Survey course participants; evaluate and analyze and report areas for improvements.

The course will be offered in collaboration with the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) for credit under the Professional & International Program (PIP) at the University of Guam. The development and initial offering of the course will be chronicled in order to preserve and allow evaluation of the learning experiences and provide additional teacher materials at www.guamwaterkids.com/educators. The course will follow the same outline presented in the "Guam Water Kids: an Educational Campaign for Children to Learn about Guam's Water and How to Protect It" and cover the same topics in greater depth.

The administration of the Guam Department of Education is in support of this course and has indicated willingness to collaborate in offering a continuing education course on water resources and the "Guam Water Kids". Specifically, GDOE will provide the venue for class meetings, recruit teachers to enroll in the course, and interface with the UOG Professional and International Programs (PIP) to make the course available for continuing education and professional development credit.

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