Ground Water Institute for Teachers WATER TOPICS FOR COLORADO TEACHERS

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1 Ground Water Institute for Teachers An education program from the American Ground Water Trust (a 501(c)(3) non-profit education organization offering programs nation-wide since 1986) WHAT: A workshop for Colorado Teachers and Educators A great learning, training and information-exchange opportunity WHEN: June 18th and 19 th, 2015 (8:30 to 3:30 lunch provided) WATER TOPICS FOR COLORADO TEACHERS WHERE: Poudre Learning Center, 8313 West F St., Greeley, CO WHO: COST: GRADES: SUBJECTS: ELIGIBILITY: ACTION: SIGN-UP: American Ground Water Trust is organizing this event in cooperation with Central Colorado Water Conservancy District FREE! Includes lunches, snacks and a (big) bunch of handouts Elementary, Middle & High School Water reaches all subjects! The two-day program will show how water topics can be incorporated in the science curriculum. However, teachers in other subject areas such a math and social studies will find much helpful information in this event. Typically we have a full spectrum of teachers very few of whom have had much training or prior experience of basic hydrologic or environmental aspects of water, water supply or water related issues. We will give you background on topics such as the state s water resources, implications of aquifer overdraft, impacts of hydraulic fracturing, groundwater quality, climate change and water supply, where and how water wells are drilled, how pumps work, water conservation strategies and more program details listed below. Any teacher/ educator who works in traditional and non- traditional education in northeast Colorado is eligible to take the class Sign-up NOW! Space limited First come first served. Teachers in School District 6 - register at District professional development website Teachers /educators not in District 6, contact Chuck Call at Poudre Learning Center, ccall@plcoutdoors.org or phone PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDIT: This program will quality for teacher professional development credit PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: This Groundwater Institute workshop program will include strategies for teaching key surface water and groundwater concepts with a focus on content, analytical techniques, and technology applications. The 1

2 program content and the instructional approach will serve as the basis for teachers to enhance student learning about the quantity and quality of water resources. Specifically the two-day program will: 1. Increase teachers knowledge of water resource issues in Colorado and enhance their understanding of first principles of the hydrologic system that can then be applied to learning opportunities for students. 2. Increase teachers knowledge through real-life practical examples of how a scientific approach supports water research, water management, water engineering and resource protection in Colorado. 3. Provide support for the teachers and educators participating in the workshop to improve their instructional techniques and enhance their professional creativity for making use of water related issues throughout the curriculum. Specific Colorado State Standards that relate to groundwater activities: High School Standard 3, Earth Systems Science; Grade Level Expectation #6; Evidence Outcomes- b Middle School Standard 3, Earth Systems Science; Grade Level Expectation #2; Evidence Outcomes- a,b,c,d Elementary Standard 2, Life Science; Grade Level Expectation #3; Evidence Outcomes- d BACKGROUND: The American Ground Water Trust has organized over 70 training programs for teachers in 17 states attended by close to 2,000 teachers and educators. The Greeley program will give a unique opportunity for teachers to explore aspects of water that are relevant to Colorado. Water science and water management experts from the water industry and government agencies will be presenting the program. We recognize that teachers in all grades must adhere to state standards for content and required learning objectives, and so our approach, through class sessions, demonstrations, discussions and handouts, is to demonstrate how to integrate water topic subject matter into existing curricula. The program will show that exciting and practical "water science" can be applied to many traditional subject areas. We believe that teachers who are excited about environmental education and who are provided with some training in water-related cause-and-effect will be more likely to effectively teach environmental concepts to their students with a positive and motivating style. Our Institutes get teachers excited and focused. There are thousands of school storerooms groaning with unused curriculum materials. The institutes get teachers fired up to make use of the many excellent materials that are already available. Students made aware of the economic and environmental importance of water resources and aquatic habitat are likely to become motivated to protect and conserve resources. As the future voting citizens in Colorado we hope students impacted by water-savvy teachers will recognize the connected and integrated nature of the environment and therefore be empowered to play an active role in protecting resources for sustainable use. Many decision-makers, whose actions impact water resources, did not grow up understanding the science basics of water management and protection. An appreciation of the role of water in our state environment and economy should now be part of the learning heritage of every adult and child. To be effective stewards of our water resources, there must be greater awareness and understanding of the science behind the resource. 2

3 Program Thursday, June 18 th 8:30 WELCOME & INTRODUCTION Kathy Parker, Public Information/Education Coordinator, CCWCD, Greeley, CO Chuck Call, Program Coordinator, School Well Watch Program Ray Tschillard, Executive Director of the Poudre Learning Center Who is CCWCD? What do they do? The Well Watch Program - what is it all about? The Poudre Learning Center - what goes on there? What we hope you will take away from the workshop 8:45 SEVEN BUILDING BLOCKS TO HYDROLOGIC LITERACY Andrew Stone, Executive Director, American Ground Water Trust The importance of a foundation of basic environmental concepts Adding water and environmental issues to traditional subjects The importance of having citizens understand environmental cause and effect Earth Systems connections of geology, hydrology, atmosphere and biology The basic water concepts we want our students to understand THE BASICS OF ROCKS & WATER (Quick generic overview) Geology fundamentals (Rock types and origins) Geologic structure/ aquifer geometry How water moves through the landscape (Where is it, how did it get there, where is it going?) Water budget concepts (rain, snow, evaporation, flow in rivers, storage underground) Water from springs (What keeps the water flowing?) 9:30 THE GEOLOGY AND HYDROLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF COLORADO AQUIFERS Peter Barkmann, Hydrogeologist, Colorado Geological Survey, Denver, CO Geologic Setting of Colorado Major Classifications of Aquifer Types in Colorado Major Alluvial Aquifers Sedimentary Rock Aquifers Mountainous Region Aquifers Education resources from CO Geol Survey 10:15 BREAK 10:30 AIR WATER - GAS (Routes to Sustainability for Natural Gas Development, Water and Air) Joe Ryan, Faculty Director, Air Water Gas Sustainability Research Network, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO AirWaterGas Network objectives and organization Hydraulic fracturing what we know, what we don t know, and what need to learn to make better decisions Education and outreach strategies Teacher development and community-led research Incorporating science into determination of setback distances an interactive exercise 11:45 LUNCH 12:45 OUT IN THE FIELD FOR WATER DATA MEASUREMENT Chuck Call, PLC Steward, Well Watch Coordinator, Greeley, CO What types of rocks (geology) occur beneath the Learning Center site? Water Level measurements in wells (what do the data mean?) Instruments to measure water quality (what do the data mean?) 2:30 BREAK 2:45 19 TH CENTURY AND 20 TH CENTURY CHANGES IN THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER Robert Longenbaugh, Consultant Engineer, Fort Collins, CO 3

4 What the hydrology of the S Platte was like 150 years ago Impact of irrigated agriculture on the river and groundwater (change to permanent flow) 20 th century changes: electrification, turbine pumps, Front Range urbanization, phreatophytes Conjunctive use from created dependable supply How do we meet the projected water shortages in 2050? 3:30 3:45 WRAP-UP OF DAY ONE Program - Friday June 19 th 8:30 GROUNDWATER QUALITY ISSUES Andrew Stone, Executive Director, American Ground Water Trust Sources of biological and microbiological threats Sources of chemical compounds that could impact water quality Saline soils resulting from high groundwater levels On-site waste-water disposal systems (great when they work!) What can be taught in schools that will help change behavior and increase resource protection? WELL and PUMP SYSTEM BASICS How water wells are designed, drilled and equipped How a home water system works (pump, pressure tank, water conditioning ) MEASUREMENT OF FLOW VOLUME IN RIVERS & DITCHES Discharge = flow velocity x cross section area Relationship of river height (stage) and flow volume 9:45 WATER SUPPLY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS FOR AN IRRIGATION FARMER Glen Fritzler, Weld County Grower, LaSalle, CO Economic importance of irrigation to the agricultural economy of Weld County Sources of irrigation water in Weld County Who has control over water allocations to farmers? What dictates the timing and application method of irrigation? 10:30 BREAK 10:45 PROTECTING RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABILITY Laura Belanger, Water & Environmental Engineer, Western Resource Advocates, Boulder, CO Western Resource Advocates' mission Where does your water come from? Linking Coloradoan s values to their water use Protecting stream flows for the environment and recreation 11:45 LUNCH 12:45 EDUCATION RESOURCES: Show & tell and group discussion about the resources The Colorado Foundation for Water Education Kristin Maharg, Director of Programs, Colorado Foundation for Water Education, Denver, CO CFWE Water Educator Network - professional development opportunities Online tools, customized communications, topical trainings and collaboration events Access to experts, resources and best practices in water education Poudre Learning Center Chuck Call, PLC Steward, Well Watch Coordinator, Greeley, CO Well Watch web site: student investigation possibilities Central Colorado Water Conservancy District Kathy Parker, Public Information/Education Coordinator, CCWCD, Greeley, CO 4

5 Programs and materials that Central offers Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), Confluence Institute workshop for teachers Loaning out the Groundwater Model CCWCD school visits for individualized classroom presentations. American Ground Water Trust Andrew Stone, Executive Director, American Ground Water Trust, Concord, NH Web-site resources (AGWT, US EPA, US Geological Survey and others) Printed information in handout packets PowerPoint presentations SCHOOL SUBJECTS AND CAREERS IN THE WATER INDUSTRY Subjects and skills needed for water resource assessment, operation and management Hydrologic, environmental, health, engineering, water management, regulatory, planning etc. Technicians, operators, construction, maintenance, records data management, etc. 2:15 BREAK 2:30 CLASSROOM LESSON OPPORTUNITIES The water drop journey (Outside exercise with observation, recording and interpretation) Porosity & permeability (Easy to measure gives numbers that students can use) Plant transpiration (Week-long water measurement project for any classroom, any grade) Using literature and poetry with PowerPoint to enhance awareness of water (Project with interdisciplinary potential and adaptable for class and/ or homework assignments) Hydrology cartoons in water issues teaching 3:15 PROGRAM ASSESSMENT - COMPLETION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PAPERWORK 3:30 ADJOURN QUESTIONS: Please feel free to call Andrew Stone at American Ground Water Trust, (603) , , astone@agwt.org or Kathy Parker, Public Information/Education Officer, Central Colorado Water Conservancy District, 3209 W 28 St., Greeley, CO 80634, (970) , kparker@ccwcd.org Or Chuck Hall, Program Coordinator, School Well Watch Program ccall@plcoutdoors.org SOME TEACHER COMMENTS ABOUT AGWT TRAINING PROGRAMS: The workshop covers KEY water concerns about our future. Very informative! Fast paced! No downtime, just like I like it. The information from the experts will add a dimension of realism to my lessons A great amount of information was presented in a concise, understandable way. The expertise of the presenters on water topics was enriching and an eye-opener. Thanks again for the time, effort, experience, and appreciation for what we do as teachers. Meaningful, appropriately timed, inexpensive professional development is truly what helps teachers to grow and inspire students to make meaningful connections! 5