Water Resources Research Act Program

Principal Investigators: Arretta Card

Abstract: Recognizing a need to familiarize teachers and students with the "CNMI Water Kids" water resources educational materials for ages 9-12 and to demonstrate the value of incorporating them into education curricula, WERI funded 11 on-site presentations made to public schools in the CNMI on the islands of Saipan, Rota and Tinian during the Fall 2011 semester. To date, 655 elementary students and their 36 teachers have seen eight presentations on Saipan and one on Rota. A presentation in Tinian and two on Saipan are scheduled. In addition, we presented the "CNMI Water Kids" teaching materials at the CNMI Public School System's (PSS) fall professional development event in October, 2011. Teachers attending the 3-hour workshop were drawn from elementary, junior high and high schools throughout the region. We are requesting the opportunity to further share the "CNMI Water Kids" materials in Fall 2012 in the following manner: 1. Present to 6th graders and their teachers in 8 private schools on Saipan, Rota and Tinian; 2. Conduct a workshop or class presentation to education majors at the CNMI School of Education in the Northern Marianas College (SoE-NMC) in Saipan; 3. Identify a plan for offering CNMI elementary and junior high teachers a 1-credit hour continuing education course in water resources as a collaborative effort with the CNMI PSS. The proposed study will proceed as follows: 1. Contact and offer materials to the head administrators of private institutions of learning for approval and scheduling, and likewise with the CNMI SoE-NMC; 2. Conduct eight team presentations of the "CNMI Water Kids" to students in private schools and leave participating teachers with educational materials, including the CD presentation, printed copies of the two related Lesson Plans and Activities, and WERI contact information, as appropriate; 3. Conduct a survey of participating educators to evaluate the "CNMI Water Kids" presentation and related materials. Include additional questions about specific needs teachers may have and poll their interest in participating in future teacher-training courses in water resources protection and conservation. Analyze and report survey results. All contact information to be preserved in order to facilitate future communication with participating educators; 4. Conduct presentation(s) to education majors at the SoE-NMC; 5. Contact the CNMI PSS Chancellor and appropriate education specialists regarding offering a future continuing education course on this topic.