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.
오랜 시간 이어지는 영향력
Title:Waterschool USA 프로그램은 그 출발부터 큰 영향력을 미쳤습니다.
Subtitle:일리노이, 미주리 123명의 교육자를 대상으로 700시간 이상 전문성 개발
만 5~25세 학생을 대상으로 6,000시간 이상 수자원 과학 실습 교육
미시시피강 및 미주리강에서 학생 600명의 수상 카누 및 패들보트 여정 참여
캠프 Waterschool 참가자 200명 이상
80명 이상의 교사를 대상으로 수자원 교육 활동 키트 제공
56개 학교로 소독 및 위생용품 제공
이 같은 영향력은 현장 활동가 만의 힘으로는 발휘할 수 없었습니다. 2023년 여름, Swarovski VIP 회원들은 특별한 코끼리 Hekima 작품에 입찰할 기회가 있었습니다. 15,000달러의 기부가 낙찰을 통해 이루어졌으며, 수익금 전액은 미시시피 유역 Swarovski 재단 Waterschool 프로그램으로 직접 전달되었습니다.
