Broadcast Media and Digital Art Contest for 7th-12th Grade Students

The Water Education Water Awareness Committee (WEWAC) presents the 22nd Annual Water Conservation Campaign - Broadcast Media and Digital Art Contest.  The contest is open to 7th-12th grade students within the WEWAC service area.  The objective of the contest is to increase awareness of the importance of water in local Southern California schools through creativity and imagination. Additionally, the contest is intended to enhance academic instruction by providing the opportunity for financial support to do creative classroom projects that might not otherwise be possible.

"Broadcast Media" submissions are those developed to facilitate the wireless distribution of audio and video content. Broadcast media must be either 28 or 58 seconds in length, and specifically focus on water conservation issues.

"Digital Art" submissions are those developed to be displayed as static or dynamic graphical content (e.g., digital boards, movie theater or sports stadium boards, internet ads, etc.).  Entries must be created on a computer, must be in color, and must be submitted no less than 300 and no more than 500 ppi/dpi in JPG or PDF format.  You may work from the scan of an original pencil sketch, but the final entry MUST be inked/colored in a digital imaging program such as Adobe Photoshop.  Entries must be accompanied by a scanned copy of your original drawing sketch. This will prove that it is your work, and not downloaded from someone else's website.

The criteria used to judge submissions will include incorporation of water conservation issues, creativity, originality, informational content, accuracy of information, and production quality.

All entries must be postmarked or delivered by 5:00 PM, Thursday, March 9, 2017

VIEW FLYER & CONTEST RULES

VIEW APPLICATION

For more information, please visit http://www.usewaterwisely.com/#Media_Contest_Description. 

FREE Funding Opportunity- Deadline is Friday, November 4th!

Water Education Water Awareness Committee (WEWAC) announces it's 2016-2017 EduBucks Program for up to $600. The grant is fairly simple to fill out and would be beneficial to any creative water-related activities you might be doing in your classroom.

To fill out an application visit http://www.usewaterwisely.com/. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 4th!

Calling 9th through 12th Grade Teachers!

A new school year brings new activities for IEUA's 

Water Discovery Program!

Need to plan a trip for your 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade class?  Schedule your FREE Water Discovery Field Trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park!  Take a tour of the Chino Creek Wetlands and choose from several activities that align with the California State Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to tailor your field trip to your 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade class. 

Some activities available for the 9-12 grade levels include:

Microscopic Pond Life (4-12)

Students view pond life specimen under microscopes.  For older grades, they will obtain and assemble their own specimens and slides.  Younger grades will observe the pre-assembled slides.  This activity encourages scientific observation and teaches students how to use a microscope.

Recycled Water Bracelets (6-12)

Students will learn about where water comes from, how water travels, treatment plants, the importance of recycled water, and uses of recycled water to conserve our fresh drinking water supplies and to recharge groundwater basins. Students will assemble bracelets with color beads representing the different stages of recycled water.  (This activity correlates well with the Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour.)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Video and Scale Model (6-12)

Due to construction of IEUA's Regional Water Recycling Plant No.5 we are unable to offer tours of the treatment facility at this time.  Students will watch a video of the seven-stage treatment process, understand wastewater flows and where it comes from, realize the value of being aware of what is "flushed" down the drain, and observe first-hand through a scale model the essential process that helps preserve potable water for the region’s future.

** Schedule and have your field trip by Thursday, December 15, 2016 and receive FREE sunglasses and water pouches for all participants! **

We also offer a FREE mini busing grant for all schools in California!

To schedule a FREE Water Discovery Field Trip, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/ and click "Schedule a Field Trip" to fill out the field trip request form.

For more information on activities, curriculum alignment, scheduling calendar, and busing grant application, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/.

We hope to see you this 2016-2017 school year!

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Cabana, External Affairs Specialist I at (909) 993-1925 or kcabana@ieua.org. 

Calling 6th through 8th Grade Teachers!

A new school year brings new activities for IEUA's 

Water Discovery Program!

Need to plan a trip for your 6th, 7th or 8th grade class?  Schedule your FREE Water Discovery Field Trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park! Take a tour of the Chino Creek Wetlands and choose from several activities that align with the California State Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to tailor your field trip to your 6th, 7th or 8th grade class. 

Some activities available for the 6-8 grade levels include:  

Tap Water Challenge (5-8)

Students become scientists and perform tests on tap water to determine the amount of Chlorine, pH, Iron, Copper and Hardness.  The activity also covers water quality issues and where our water comes from. 

Long Haul (4-8)

Students will develop an awareness and appreciation of water’s value and availability.  This activity will focus on worldwide and historical access to water.  Students will participate in a relay to move "buckets of water" between two points demonstrating the difficulty of hauling water. 

Wetlands Metaphor (4-8)

The students will learn about the value and role of wetlands and make comparisons between objects through metaphors.  Each object represents a function of the wetlands.  Students will explain how the object is a metaphor for a wetland's function (ex. A sponge would represent that wetlands retain water).

** Schedule and have your field trip by Thursday, December 15, 2016 and receive FREE sunglasses and water pouches for all participants! **

We also offer a FREE mini busing grant for all schools in California!

To schedule a FREE Water Discovery Field Trip, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/ and click "Schedule a Field Trip" to fill out the field trip request form.

For more information on activities, curriculum alignment, scheduling calendar, and busing grant application, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/.

We hope to see you this 2016-2017 school year!

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Cabana, External Affairs Specialist I at (909) 993-1925 or kcabana@ieua.org. 

Calling 3rd through 5th Grade Teachers!

A new school year brings new activities for IEUA's 

Water Discovery Program!

Need to plan a trip for your 3rd, 4th or 5th grade class?  Schedule your FREE Water Discovery Field Trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park! Take a tour of the Chino Creek Wetlands and choose from several activities that align with the California State Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to tailor your field trip to your 3rd, 4th or 5th grade class. 

Some activities available for the 3-5 grade levels include:

Water Cycle Bracelets (2-6)

Students will learn about the water cycle and the different states in which water moves through the water cycle.  Students will simulate the journey of water molecules moving through the water cycle and will collect beads to represent their movements.  At the end of the activity, students will discuss their specific journey, including molecule transfer.  Students will be able to keep their journey bracelets as a reminder of the varying journeys water molecules take.

Enviroscape (3-8)

Students will observe a three-dimensional model of a watershed.  Students will learn about the Santa Ana Watershed, pollution (point and non-point) and effects of pollution, and groundwater contamination.  Students will "pollute" the watershed by placing "pollutants" (i.e. Kool-Aid, sprinkles and cocoa powder) on the model and will then simulate rainfall (spray bottle) and observe the effects of the "pollutants" on the community and water supply.

Edible Aquifers (3-8)

Students will learn about aquifers, groundwater and pollutants.  The students will create an edible model of an aquifer- groundwater (clear soda), sand and gravel (cookie crumbs), rocks (gummy bears), and clay (ice cream), and simulate how "pollutants" (sprinkles) enter an aquifer.  Then using a straw, student's drill a well in the middle of their aquifer to simulate how water is pumped from the aquifer and the effects of the pollutants.  A discussion on pollution sources will be included.  Students will need to have a completed consent form to participate in this activity. 

** Schedule and have your field trip by Thursday, December 15, 2016 and receive FREE sunglasses and water pouches for all participants! **

We also offer a FREE mini busing grant for all schools in California!

To schedule a FREE Water Discovery Field Trip, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/ and click "Schedule a Field Trip" to fill out the field trip request form.

For more information on activities, curriculum alignment, scheduling calendar, and busing grant application, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/.

We hope to see you this 2016-2017 school year!

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Cabana, External Affairs Specialist I at (909) 993-1925 or kcabana@ieua.org. 

Calling Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Teachers!

A new school year brings new activities for IEUA's 

Water Discovery Program!

Need to plan a trip for your Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade class?  Schedule your FREE Water Discovery Field Trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park!  Take a tour of the Chino Creek Wetlands and choose from several activities that align with the California State Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to tailor your field trip to your Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade class.

Some activities available for the K-2 grade levels include:

Bird Bingo (K-8)

Students will be introduced to birding and binocular use.  This activity will include a discussion of local, migratory, and invasive birds.  The students will get a bingo sheet and attempt to observe and locate birds that are discussed.   

Plant Factory (K-3)

Students will learn the different parts and functions of plants.  Students will discuss what plants need to survive, the five parts of a plant, photosynthesis, and construct a human plant from roots to flowers while chanting their roles.

The Hamburger Water Model (K-3)

Students will observe a three-dimensional hamburger model and learn exactly how much water is used for each part of a hamburger and make connections to how much water goes into the production of our food supply.

Wildlife Observation Study/Nature Walk (K-12)

During this activity, students will be guided through the wetlands to observe plants and wildlife in the 22-acre Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. Students will focus on the senses as they explore.  Using checklists, students will observe and monitor wetlands habitat like biologists.  Students will engage in discussions about wetlands, habitat loss, the impact of humankind on nature, and develop an appreciation of wetlands and natural resources.

** Schedule and have your field trip by Thursday, December 15, 2016 and receive FREE sunglasses and water pouches for all participants! **

We also offer a FREE mini busing grant for all schools in California!

To schedule a FREE Water Discovery Field Trip, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/ and click "Schedule a Field Trip" to fill out the field trip request form.

For more information on activities, curriculum alignment, scheduling calendar, and busing grant application, visit: www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/.

We hope to see you this 2016-2017 school year!

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Cabana, External Affairs Specialist I at (909) 993-1925 or kcabana@ieua.org. 

Scheduling for Water Discovery Field Trips for School Year 2016-2017 is Now Open and Easier Than Ever!

School is back in session and it's time to start planning the year ahead!  Scheduling for Water Discovery Field Trips for school year 2016-2017 is now open and easier than ever!

IEUA is pleased to offer FREE Water Discovery Field Trips to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park in the city of Chino.  The Water Discovery Field Trip focuses on water conservation, wetlands, habitats, and watershed issues.

Program activities can be tailored to grade levels and aligns with California Curriculum Standards; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), helping teachers meet their education classroom standards through an exciting hands-on outdoor field trip.

Limited funding for busing, no problem!  IEUA offers a busing mini-grant, which allows for schools and organizations within the state of California to apply for transportation funding to and from the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park to take part in the Water Discovery Field Trip program.  Each school can qualify for $500 -$1000.

To schedule a Water Discovery Field Trip, visit our new easy to use online request form at https://www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/ and click "Schedule a Field Trip" to complete field trip request form.  

For more information on activities, curriculum alignment, scheduling calendar, and busing grant application, visit https://www.ieua.org/facilities/chino-creek-wetlands-educational-park/water-discovery-program/.


If you have any questions, please contact Katie Cabana, External Affairs Specialist I at (909) 993-1925 or Kcabana@ieua.org.

Where's Wally?

Wally's visit to the Demonstration Garden!

Wally’s becoming a real fan of the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park!  This morning during his weekly walk, he stumbled upon the Demonstration Garden.  This Demonstration Garden is used for IEUA’s Garden In Every School® Program, which teaches students about water conservation and sustainable agriculture by providing grants to schools to create a water-wise garden.

The Demonstration Garden shows different types of gardens that feature low water-use plants, butterfly gardens, California native plants, and even vegetable gardens.  Most importantly, this Demonstration Garden shows that a beautiful garden is possible, even while using efficient irrigation techniques.  With this newest discovery in mind, Wally is now inspired to create a water-wise garden of his own!

If you’d like to learn more about the Demonstration Garden or the Garden In Every School® Program, visit: 

www.ieua.org

Where's Wally?

Wally's porous concrete discovery!

Today, after Wally's weekly walk through the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park, he decided to leave the Park a different way.  This time, as he was walking out of the Park, he stepped onto the IEUA Headquarters parking lot and noticed the concrete looked different.  After doing a little research, Wally learned that IEUA used many different green techniques when building their headquarters and were the first public agency in the nation to receive the Platinum rating from the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) in 2003.  

Among these green techniques, IEUA used porous concrete in their parking lot, instead of normal concrete.  Porous concrete prevents runoff by absorbing water, so rainwater seeps down into the soil underneath and does not flow into the street.  Wally learned that this technique is another great way to save water for our future. 

To learn more about IEUA's LEED™ Headquarters Building, visit:

www.ieua.org

Where's Wally?

Wally's walk through the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park!

Wally walked through the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park this morning and noticed these recycled water signs.  From his research, he learned that the Park receives some recycled water from RP-5, IEUA’s wastewater treatment plant next door.  RP-5 receives over 15 million gallons of wastewater per day from the cities of Chino, Chino Hills and a portion of Ontario, which is then treated to make recycled water. 

Recycled water is one of the most important strategies used to conserve water.  It can be used for agriculture, municipal irrigation, industrial uses, and groundwater replenishment.  This means that we can save more of our precious potable, drinking water for domestic purposes, like drinking and bathing.

Learn more about the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park, RP-5, and recycled water at:

 www.ieua.org

*The Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park is partially funded by a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board.

Eagle Canyon Garden Hosts Garden Dedication

Eagle Canyon Elementary Hosts a Garden Dedication! 

On Friday, April 22^nd, in coordination with Earth day, Chino Valley Unified School District's Eagle Canyon Elementary School hosted a garden dedication to celebrate the completion of their water-wise school garden.  

Each year, schools are able to submit a garden grant application, which provides their school with a $4,500 grant to go towards the installation of a water-wise garden. Last year, Eagle Canyon submitted an application and after reviewing their grant application and garden design, they were chosen to receive this water-wise garden grant that educates students and the community on the importance of efficient water use.

Along with a serpentine to the garden, ribbon cutting, butterfly and lady bug release, students from each grade level did a presentation at the garden dedication. 

Mrs. McGuire's first grade class singing the Vegetable Song.

Mrs. Corsaro's kindergarten class reciting the Earthworm Poem 

and released earthworms into the garden. 

Eagle Canyon Elementary's garden features six planter boxes designated to each grade level growing varieties of vegetables such as pumpkins and radishes. Citrus trees and California Native plants were planted around the perimeter of the garden. 

Mr. Sergio Robleto, a teacher at Ayala High School painted the beautiful mural pictured above. Students submitted their ideas for the mural and Mr. Robleto stenciled the design for students to get involved by doing a paint by numbers. 

On behalf of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency Board of Directors and the city of Chino Hills, Congratulations to Eagle Canyon Elementary for a job well done and for bringing an inspiring outdoor classroom to life! Happy gardening! 

Where's Wally?

Wally's visit to the Pipe Garden!

During Wally’s weekly walk through IEUA's Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park, he stumbled across the Pipe Garden.  The Pipe Garden demonstrates how to use water wisely inside and outside the home.  The various signs share how much water you can save by following some water-saving tips, which can come in handy during this drought.

For example, Wally learned that you can save 22.5 gallons if you take a five minute shower with a low-flow showerhead, versus taking a five minute shower without a low-flow showerhead.  Also, you can save 10.3 gallons of water if you run a fully loaded dishwasher instead of hand washing the dishes.  With this knowledge in mind, Wally can do his part to save water during this historic drought.

Learn more about the Pipe Garden and the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park at: 

www.ieua.org

*The Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park is partially funded by a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. 

FREE Earth Day Celebration!

FREE Earth Day Celebration!

With Earth Day coming up on April 22^nd, many water agencies are holding FREE Earth Day events to celebrate the holiday and educate the public on what they can do to help protect our natural resources, including water.

Cucamonga Valley Water District was the first agency to celebrate Earth Day with their event this past Saturday, April 2^nd.

Many vendors and agencies, including IEUA, were among the list of attendees for the Earth-saving event.

Vendors passed out giveaways and sold items, including organic food, drought friendly plants, fertilizer, and tips on how to conserve water.

Along with Cucamonga Valley Water District, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) will be having a FREE Earth Day Celebration on Thursday, April 21^st to celebrate this holiday.

The Earth Day Celebration will feature environmental shows, exhibits, Earth-friendly activities and the Grilled Cheese Food Truck.

IEUA will also be giving away compost and other Earth-friendly giveaways!

Bring friends and family and enjoy some Earth-friendly fun at:

 IEUA’s Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park!

Thursday, April 21^st, 2016

4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

6075 Kimball Avenue

Chino, CA 91708

And did we mention it’s FREE!!!  

See you there!

Cypress Elementary Hosts a Garden Dedication!

Cypress Elementary Hosts a Garden Dedication!

This past Thursday, February 25^th, Fontana Unified School District’s Cypress Elementary School hosted a garden dedication to celebrate the completion of their water-wise school garden.



Cypress Elementary Assistant Principal Mr. Adam Anderson speaks in front of students and parents.

The garden was constructed as part of IEUA’s water-wise Garden In Every School® Program, which is an assisted grant to install a water-wise garden on campus that educates students on the importance of efficient water usage.

On behalf of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency Board of Directors and the Fontana Water Company, Katie Plank and Patrick Soto, presented Principal Dr. Rosario Gomez and Assistant Principal Mr. Adam Anderson a certificate of completion at the dedication ceremony.

From Left to right: Patrick Soto (Fontana Water Company), Katie Plank (IEUA), Principal Dr. Rosario Gomez, and Assistant Principal Mr. Adam Anderson.

The Cypress Elementary garden features six planter boxes growing plants such as parsley and succulents. The planter box for the 2^nd graders even features a turtle!

 

Congratulations to Cypress Elementary for a job well done and for bringing and an outdoor classroom to life!

We hope your garden will continue to flourish and inspire water use efficiency!

2016 Garden In Every School® Workshop

The deadline to RSVP for the upcoming Garden In Every School® Mandatory Grant Workshop is fast approaching!

Photo taken from Oak Park Elementary.

Monday, February 22^nd, 2016 is the last day to RSVP to attend the FREE mandatory garden-based learning workshop for those interested in applying for the 2016-2017 Garden In Every School® Program. This one-day workshop will go over the program, application process, curriculum connections to California state standards, past successes and classroom resources available to those who participate.

The Garden In Every School® Program is available to schools, who have not previously participated, in IEUA’s service area, which include the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland.

 

Photo taken from Chaparral Elementary.

The Garden In Every School® Program is a wonderful teaching tool for educators to bring their curriculum to life. The program educates students on the need and value of water conservation, now and in the future, by understanding efficient water irrigation techniques. With the majority of water being used for outdoor irrigation, this knowledge can greatly impact the community’s water conservation efforts.  This valuable experience can establish a water conscience in students at a young age, which the children can take into adulthood. Students will learn that a beautiful garden is possible, even while implementing water conservation efforts.

Photo taken from Etiwanda Intermediate.

Along with the knowledge of smart water-wise usage, students will learn about sustainable gardening practices, native California flora, and climate-appropriate drought tolerant plants. With the option of adding vegetables to the garden, students will have an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture, as well as the benefits of good nutrition. Students will also view the web of life firsthand, which will bring more awareness of the natural world around them. The process of building the garden in their school will teach students the importance of teamwork, while the completion of the garden can increase students’ self esteem.

Photo taken from Coyote Canyon Elementary.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!

The Garden In Every School® Mandatory Grant Workshop:

Thursday, March 3^rd, 2016

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Inland Empire Utilities Agency – Building B, Event Room

6075 Kimball Avenue, Chino, CA 91708

Please RSVP by Monday, February 22, 2016 to Katie Plank:

Call 909.993.1925 or Email kplank@ieua.org

For more information on the Garden In Every School® Program or to see previously planted school gardens, please visit : 

www.ieua.org/education/garden-in-every-school