The WaterCAMPWS Kicks Off New Initiative

In collaboration with the Illinois Math and Science Academy, The WaterCAMPWS will assist high school science teachers in developing teaching modules related to water purification, including desalination and reuse, decontamination and disinfection. Teachers participating in WaterCLEAR (Collaboration for Learning, Education and Research)were introduced to issues related to water purification in their first meeting on March 17, and will reconvene on April 28 to learn more about relevant research and the Web-based teaching tools they'll be using. In Phase II of the program, the teachers will develop curriculum modules and teaching strategies during a week-long summer academy. The modules will be implemented in the classroom in Phase III of the program, and in Phase IV, the teachers will serve as mentors for a new group of program participants.

The program will also offer support for participants to present about their experiences and share their modules at state and national professional conferences. In addition, participating teachers will recommend student participants for a related program, WaterTEC (Water Technology and Education Camp), also to take place this summer, where high school juniors and seniors will learn about water quality issues through classroom and lab experiences and field trips.