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Project WET is a nonprofit water education program for educators and young people,
grades K-12, located on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman, Montana, which maintains
the National Project WET web site. The
original WET program was established in 1984 by the North Dakota State Water Commission. In 1989, the director
of Project WET was invited by Montana State University to duplicate the original North Dakota program in
Montana, Idaho and later in Arizona. The success of this pilot multi-state initiative led to a decision to
develop a national Project WET program in 1990. In 1991, The Western Regional Environmental Education Council
and the Watercourse became the official co-sponsors of Project WET.
The goal of the Project WET program is to facilitate and promote the awareness, appreciation,
knowledge and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom ready
teaching aids and the establishment of state and internationally sponsored Project WET programs.
The Program is grounded in well-defined beliefs that are reflected in the curriculum and in
training opportunities for the network:
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Water is important for all water users (e.g., energy producers, farmers and ranchers, fish
and wildlife, manufacturers, recreationists, rural and urban dwellers).
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Wise water management is crucial for providing tomorrow's children social and economic
stability in a healthy environment.
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Awareness of, and respect for, water resources can encourage a personal, lifelong commitment
of responsibility and positive community participation.
The program is designed for formal and non-formal educators of K-12 students.
- classroom teachers in public and private schools
- pre-service professors
- resource agency educators
- preschool and day care teachers
- youth organization leaders (i.e., 4-H, Scouts and Campfire)
- local, state, national park rangers/interpreters
- museum, nature and science center instructors
- home-educators
- corporate community educators
- zoo educational staff
The Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide is a collection of over 90 innovative,
interdisciplinary activities that are hands-on, easy to use and fun. Designed with a commitment to state,
provincial and national educational standards, Project WET activities cover diverse topics and disciplines.
The Guide addresses the following content areas:
Water:
- has unique physical and chemical characteristics.
- is essential for all life to exist.
- connects all earth systems.
- is a natural resource.
- resources are managed.
- resources exist within social contexts.
- resources exist within cultural contexts.
Developed, field-tested and reviewed by over 600 educators and resource managers working with
34,000 students nationwide, Guide activities promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills and help
provide young people with the knowledge and experience they will need to make informed decisions regarding water
resource management.
Project WET is currently active in the fifty states, the U.S. islands and provinces of Canada.
International interest reflects the growing need for water education throughout the world. In the United States,
resource agencies, universities, museums and other organizations sponsor Project WET programs. In Arkansas,
Project WET is sponsored by the Department of Environmental Quality.
State, Island, or international Project Wet coordinators or facilitators trained by state
coordinators, conduct informative, interactive and fun workshops. The Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide
is available to formal and non-formal educators who receive a minimum of six hours of training at locally
sponsored Project WET workshops.
To receive information about the Project WET program in Arkansas, contact the Project WET Coordinator for
Arkansas:
Project WET Coordinator
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
5301 Northshore Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317
E-mail: projectwet@adeq.state.ar.us
Phone: (501) 682-0024
National Project WET Workshops
- Persons wishing to attended a workshop must notify the contact person at least one week prior to the
workshop.
- Available space for a workshop is on a first come, first serve basis.
- Workshops may be cancelled if less than 15 participants sign up.
Click the following link to view upcoming workshops in Arkansas:
To Schedule a workshop for 15 or more participants contact:
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