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​Water Education

Water is as important to life as air. That’s why the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ​values and manages its water resources so vigilantly.

It’s the reason that we focus so much of our attention on educating our citizens and visitors about water and its role in natural cycles, human impacts to water, and what we can do to protect our water resources.

Whether you want to explore your local stream, measure the turbidity of your state park lake, or learn how a dam works, the department offers hundreds of programs throughout the year focused on water.

If you’re a teacher or non-formal educator, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has numerous professional development opportunities for you.

The department also offers inquiry-based field learning experiences for your students -- all which address the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s academic standards.

Sign up for the Pennsylvania State Parks Monthly Educator emails.

Be the first to find out about upcoming educator workshops happening in Pennsylvania state parks and to learn about nature-based lessons, grants, webinars, and other educational resources.

Watershed Education Program

Raindrop shape with illustrations of cattails, dragonfly, grass, and water. Text: Watershed Education

Watershed Education is an interdisciplinary curriculum that was designed by DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks for grades 6-12.

It promotes investigation, research, and decision-making skills through comprehensive exploration of watersheds.

By blending hands-on classroom and field investigations, students participate in:

  • Data collection and analysis
  • Community networking and partnerships
  • Stewardship and service-learning activities

This curriculum covers watershed-specific topics including:

  • Ecological health
  • Cultural history
  • Industry
  • Land use
  • Hydrology

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of State Parks offers Watershed Education professional development workshops for formal and non-formal educators.

Find an upcoming Watershed Education Teacher Workshop on the department events calendar.

Project WET

Round symbol with wave patterns. Text: Project WET. Water education today 

Project WET -- Water Education for Teachers -- is a program that endeavors to educate, empower, and activate students in grades K-12.

Project WET envisions a world in which action-oriented education enables every child to understand and value water, in order to ensure a sustainable future.

The cornerstone of the Project WET curricula is its methodology of teaching about water resources through hands-on, investigative, and easy-to-use activities.

The Project WET curricula includes:

  • Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide 2.0 for grades K-12
  • Healthy Water/Healthy People Water Quality Educators Guide for grades 6-12
  • Wonders of Wetlands Educators Guide for grades K-12
  • Clean and Conserve Educators Activity Guide for all ages
  • Getting Little Feet WET for ages 2-7

DCNR is a host institution for national Project WET, which enables DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks to offer professional development opportunities utilizing award-winning national Project WET curricula.

Educators who would like to teach their students about their role in water conservation, water resources, and the physical properties of water, find an upcoming Project WET Educator Workshop.

WETconnect

Round symbol with wave patterns. Text: W E T Connect

Check out the new WETconnect -- a digital experience from Project WET. With WETconnect, students are engaged in hands-on learning and self-led discovery, online or offline.

Water education comes to life with e-books, interactive lessons, games, quizzes, and more.

Educators and students connect with one another and the world around them.

Now everyone can experience Project WET’s award-winning water education publications and activities anytime, anywhere.​