The Water Literacy Project launches free, hands-on freshwater education activities for Canada's youth.
According to public opinion research, 86% of Canadians say water literacy for young Canadians should be a high priority, and yet, more than a third (37%) of Canadians do not know where their own tapwater comes from, about half (51%) do not feel well informed about the state of freshwater in Canada, and two in three (66%) think our schools do not prepare young people well on water issues.
Enter the Water Literacy Project.
Now available for parents and teachers across the country, the Water Literacy Project puts free, fun, freshwater education activities into the hands of Canada's next generation.
The Water Literacy Project is a unique, bilingual, multi-year education program for young people, focused directly on freshwater awareness. The Project's activities connect students from kindergarten to grade 12 with the lakes and rivers in their own environments, encourage the real-world actions they can take to protect freshwater, and inspire them to consider careers in the water sector.
The Water Literacy Project is brought to life by AquaAction, in partnership with Canadian Geographic and the Canadian Museum of Nature. It is supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada's Climate Action and Awareness Fund, with matching funds from the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation. The Canada Water Agency and NRCAN also support this important project.
Parents and teachers can access interactive learning experiences from three partners, including AquaAction's "Refresh Water! Action Packs," Canadian Geographic's "Freshwater: Lifeblood of the Land" giant floor maps, and the Canadian Museum of Nature's "Freshwater Systems" virtual workshops. Specifically:
- AquaAction's "ReFresh Water! Action Packs" are hands-on learning materials designed to help families and communities engage with local water issues. They include learning modules, videos, digital journals and guided activities that explore real-world water challenges. The kits and printable workbooks can be downloaded from the Water Literacy Project website.
- Canadian Geographic's "Freshwater: Lifeblood of the Land" giant floor maps are large-format maps that help students from kindergarten to Grade 12 explore Canada's freshwater systems and learn about water-related careers. Each map comes with a Teacher's Guide and 12 curriculum-linked lesson plans, activities and additional resources. Educators can book these maps for their classrooms on the website.
- The Canadian Museum of Nature's "Freshwater Systems" virtual workshops are live workshops led by expert museum educators. Designed for grade 7 and 8 students in all provinces and territories, these interactive sessions explore Earth's hydrosphere and the interconnectedness of water systems. Students explore how human activities can impact water quality, and the importance of protecting clean, fresh water across Canada. The workshops can be booked now.
All the Water Literacy Project's educational resources are now available from a central resource hub, where educators, parents and students can choose their desired grade level and access the materials free of charge.
Visit the Water Literacy Project website to explore all the available options.
About The Water Literacy Project
The Water Literacy Project is a national, bilingual, multi-year education and awareness program that helps teachers and parents build an understanding of freshwater in their learners, one that connects them with their own water, the real-world actions they can take, and future careers in the water sector. The project is brought to life by AquaAction, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Canadian Museum of Nature. It is supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada's Climate Action and Awareness Fund, de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation, Canada Water Agency and NRCAN. For more information: https://thewaterliteracyproject.org/en/home
