Project WET: Advancing Global Water Literacy through Education - Interview with CEO, John Etgen
Tell us about Project WET’s work and impact.
Project WET: Water Education Today is dedicated to promoting water education around the world to bring understanding of complex water challenges and inspire local actions. Through our hands-on, science-based programs and resources, we empower individuals of all ages to understand, appreciate, and protect our most precious natural resource—water. Our 40 years of work have made significant impacts, reaching over 45 million educators and students globally, fostering a deeper understanding of water’s role in our daily lives, and inspiring actions for its sustainability.
You have specific Water Literacy Principles, what are they and why is Water Literacy so important for youth?
At the core of Project WET’s mission are our Water Literacy Principles. These principles provide a framework for understanding water’s critical role in our world, covering topics such as water’s physical and chemical properties, its movement and distribution, and the ways human activities impact water quality and availability. Teaching youth about these principles is crucial because water is fundamental to life and the environment. By fostering water literacy in youth, we are equipping the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about water use and conservation, promoting sustainable practices that can benefit communities globally.
This Summer, you hosted a Climate, Water, Resilience and Health Educator Training at the Reservoir Center, why did Project WET create separate climate focused lessons to train educators on?
Project WET hosted a Climate, Water, Resilience, and Health Educator Training at the Reservoir Center in June, attended by DC water educators, local teachers, and water experts. We recognize that climate change is a critical issue affecting water resources worldwide, and it’s felt every day along the shores of the Anacostia River outside the Reservoir Center doors. Our climate-focused lessons were designed to provide educators with the tools and knowledge they need to teach students about the complex relationship between climate, water, and health. By integrating climate education into our water-focused curriculum, we are helping to build resilience and adaptive capacity in communities facing the impacts of climate change. The new addition of the climate related health impacts has been especially interesting for educators. They can share examples everyday from media stories on extreme weather, heat indexes, smoke from intense forest fires, rising seas, and so much more.
Many may not realize that Project WET is used across the world, what countries have implemented your programming and where can other organization go if they’d like to find a project wet training for their international communities.
Project WET maintains an active partner network that covers all 50 US states, and also engages 75 countries. Hands-on water education through Project WET is happening throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, along with all of North America. Organizations interested in bringing Project WET to their US or international communities can find information on our website or contact us directly for training opportunities and resources tailored to their specific needs. Project WET has an extensive digital platform for training, a digital library, and even a way to sponsor local schools to become WaterStar Certified Schools. For information, please visit www.projectwet.org or email the CEO John Etgen at john.etgen@projectwet.org.
What are you excited for when thinking about Project WET’s future?
Looking forward, water challenges will grow quickly with the rapid acceleration of climate change, and therefore Project WET is accelerating our approach. Creating a world where everyone understands the value of water in our lives is what we strive for, and our new technologies are driving virtual trainings for educators and gamified lessons for youth. WaterStar certified schools will ensure that all students are water literate before graduation. I am excited about the opportunities for Project WET to expand its impact and partnerships in the face of these challenges. As we move into our next 40 years, I am confident that Project WET’s water education will grow in importance as the need for sustainable water grows. Please join us in this water literacy effort through partnership, sponsorships, or by donating to our worthy cause.