浩蕩的密西西比河
Title:傍河而居
Subtitle:密西西比河是世界最長的河流之一。它流經 (或接壤) 美國的十個州，只要有人生活在北美大陸這塊土地上，它便在文化、經濟和社會生活結構中扮演著重要角色。如今，河流仍然是這個地區許多社區的命脈，支撐當地的農業，提供安全的飲用水源，也是商業運輸和貿易的重要通道。
因此，早在 2016 年，Swarovski 基金會便與官方合作夥伴美國國家河流研究和教育中心 (NGRREC) 在這裡創立了第一個 Waterschool 專案。
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.
A Lasting Impact
Title:The Waterschool USA program has had a significant impact since its inception.
Subtitle:700+ hours of professional development to 123 educators in Illinois and Missouri
6000+ hours of hands-on water science education with students aged 5-25
600 students engaged in on-water canoe and paddleboard excursions on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers
200+ Camp Waterschool participants
80+ teachers provided with water education activity kits
56 schools provided with sanitation and hygiene supplies
It’s not just those on the ground who have made a big impact. In the summer of 2023, Swarovski VIP members had the opportunity to bid on an extraordinary Elephant Hekima sculpture. The winning bid prompted a $15,000 donation – with all proceeds going directly to the Swarovski Foundation Waterschool program in the Mississippi watershed.
