The Mighty Mississippi
Title:Living in close proximity to the river
Subtitle:The Mississippi River is one of the world’s great rivers. Flowing through, or bordering ten states in the USA, it has played an important part in the cultural, economic, and social fabric of life on the North American continent for as long as people have roamed the land. Today, the river remains the lifeblood of many communities in the region, supporting local agriculture, providing a source of safe drinking water, and serving as a vital artery for commercial transportation and trade.
This made it the perfect location to launch the first USA-based Swarovski Foundation Waterschool project back in 2016, with official partner National Great River Research and Education Center (NGRREC).
The Waterschool USA Program
Title:Located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the Waterschool USA program works with local communities to reconnect students and teachers to their local waterways. The program seeks to raise awareness and understanding of how people living along and within the Mississippi River watershed are connected to and reliant on a healthy, functioning river ecosystem.
By fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the river’s ecological significance through a range of immersive activities, the program also aims to inspire positive change and encourage responsible community engagement – not only for the benefit of local communities, but for the watershed as a whole.
Camp Waterschool
Title:Be a watershed ecologist
Subtitle:
Camp Waterschool offers students and their mentors the opportunity to spend a week immersed in the role of a watershed ecologist. During the camp, participants engage in a variety of science exploration and nature immersion activities such as water quality sampling, stream walks, storm drain stenciling, and river trips, as well as arts and crafts and outdoor adventures. These activities help foster critical thinking and a deeper commitment to conservation.
Educator Workshops
Title:Raise awareness of water and environment
Subtitle:
Each year, Waterschool USA organizes a series of educator workshops to equip teachers with the knowledge, tools, and resources necessary to integrate water-related topics into the curriculum. By building a bridge between classroom learning and community science initiatives, the workshops help spark student curiosity and raise awareness of water and environmental issues.
長期的な影響
Title:Waterschool USAプログラムは、開始以来大きく地域に貢献してきました。
Subtitle:イリノイ州とミズーリ州の123人の教育者に700時間以上の職業訓練を実施
5～25歳の生徒・学生を対象に、6,000時間以上の実践的な水の科学に関する教育を実施
600人の生徒がミシシッピ川とミズーリ川でカヌーとパドルボードでのアクティビティに参加
200人以上がCamp Waterschoolに参加
80人以上の教師に水に関する教育アクティビティキットを提供
56校に衛生用品を提供
Waterschoolの活動は、現地だけに留まりません。2023年夏には、Swarovski 北米のVIP会員様を対象に、ゾウのヘキマの特別な彫刻のオークションを開催しました。落札により15,000ドルの寄付金が集まり、収益はすべてミシシッピ川流域のSwarovski財団Waterschoolプログラムに寄付されました。
