Festival Highlights Importance of 'Precious' Resource

Most of us take for granted that we can get water from the tap whenever we want. 

The annual Make a Splash! Water Festival aims to emphasize how precious H2O is by guiding young students—fourth-graders from Rush Intermediate School in Cinnaminson and Riverton Elementary School—through a series of learning activities and competitions at Palmyra Cove Nature Park. The festival is this Friday.

Elaine Mendelow, a former Cinnaminson teacher who now consults with the district, said the program (now in its 12th year) is so crucial because, as has been so often said, the children are our future. 

"They're the ones that are either going to make or break whether we have water in the future," said Mendelow, who just wrapped up her tenure as president of the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children. "They need to be aware of what we have and how precious it is."

The interactive activities at the festival will show students how water is important for everyone who uses it: energy producers, farmers and ranchers, fish and wildlife, manufacturers, recreationists, rural and urban dwellers. The goal is to promote an awareness of, and respect for, water resources, thereby potentially encouraging a personal, lifelong commitment to preservation. 

"It's just a wonderful, energizing use of a day," said Mendelow. 

More than 350 students, teachers, parents, presenters and volunteers are expected to attend the festival Friday. The event kicks off at 9:15 a.m. with a keynote speech from Sandy Krietzman, director of water supply and geoscience at the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water. 

The program is funded with a grant from Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), an international interdisciplinary water science and education program. 

For more information about Project WET, visit www.projectwet.org. Contact Mendelow at 609-313-0188 or njagcelaine@verizon.net for more information on the water festival.