Educational Concepts
4-H Center Scheduling and Registration
Summary of Operations and Programming Impacts
(pdf document)
Driver Designation and Van Transit
Off Center Registration and Management
Educational Concepts
The van is designed to serve as an interactive, traveling exhibit that helps youth and their families understand important water-related processes and concepts, including:
- The hydrologic cycle,
- Virginia's watersheds,
- Individual water use,
- Water quality factors,
- Best management practices,
- Groundwater processes and issues,
- Aquatic insects (biological indicators), and
- Personal action to improve and protect water resources.
The hydrologic cycle is demonstrated with a modified version of the National Project WET game entitled Incredible Journey. The game involves recreating the movement of water around the earth using nine stations. The stations represent the places where water is found on the earth, such as clouds and oceans. A game piece at each station instructs the participant to remain at the station or move to another one. Participants quickly realize where the earth's water is located, the forms it takes and the relative residence time in each location.
Virginia's watersheds are presented in an interactive light board that depicts the boundaries of the state's nine principle watersheds, their tributaries, flow destinations, and major population centers. By pushing buttons, youth match their city or county to a specific watershed. The respective watershed lights up when a correct match is made. Information about the watershed is also provided.
Individual water use is presented in an interactive light board. By pushing buttons, youth match a specific water use to a quantity of water in gallons. A correct match lights the board and gets a computerized voice response. Some common water uses include flushing the toilet, taking a shower, using a dishwasher, and washing clothes. Information about conserving water is also presented with each water use.
Water quality factors are investigated using LaMotte water test kits. Tests include pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and others. All tests will be administered under adult supervision with standard safety procedures (safety glasses, gloves, proper chemical disposal). Information about each water quality factor is provided including recent environmental news concerning Virginia's waters.
Best management practices are presented with the interactive Terrine Enviroscape Model. This is a three dimensional model of agricultural and residential areas. Participants can simulate the effects of various lands uses and pollution on water quality and learn how different types of management practices either degrade or improve water quality.
Groundwater processes are investigated using the National Project WET Groundwater Model. Youth can study groundwater movement, see various groundwater processes and simulate groundwater contamination and cleanup.
Freshwater and marine wildlife issues are presented using wildlife puppets. Youth participate in different types of puppet plays and skits that address various water-related issues in Virginia. 1) Full, written scripts will be provided for youth to rehearse and present. 2) Youth will be given the situation and individual role; however, each player creates their own dialog as a "moderator" presents the story. 3) A narrator reads a story while youth act out the action as their character is mentioned. 4) Youth can create their own plays or skits
Youth will also learn about wildlife by making plaster casts of wildlife tracks and participating in environmental education activities from National Projects Learning Tree, WILD and WET. These activities teach wildlife concepts such as habitat loss, carrying capacity, predator - prey relationships, population cycles and others.
Aquatic insect identification, collecting and study equipment are provided for youth to learn about these interesting organisms and how they are used as biological indicators. Activities from Save Our Streams and Pond and Stream Safari are included with the equipment.
Youth and families will learn how to take personal action to improve and protect water resources. Activities from Give Water a Hand will help participants identify, analyze and address water resource issues in their home, community, school and farm. Additional activities from various curricula will be provided to address personal water use, conservation and protection issues.