invites students in the 4th grade from throughout the area to gather to spend a wonderful day learning all about water! Fiesta activities will cover a wide range of core curriculum areas including language arts, math, science, social studies, visual arts, and health & wellness. Presenters will present water related facts, concepts, and values through fun, hands on learning activities. The activities will help students answer the big water questions by the time they finish elementary school.

Our Vision is to:

• introduce students to new ideas, options, and solutions so they will conserve and protect water for the future
• lay the foundation for further learning
• reach as may children as possible

Project Objectives are:

• to educate students about water and its relationship to human and other natural resources in a fun and interactive atmosphere.
• to present water-related facts, concepts, and values through fun, hands-on learning activities
• to teach students about causes and prevention of non-point source pollution
• to provide water education resources to teachers
• to enable community organizations to participate in this water education program

form the foundation for the Children's Water Fiesta. The challenge for the teachers is to discuss these questions in the classroom and help students develop answers. We believe that students who can answer these questions will become knowledgeable adults and citizens on basic water issues. The questions are:

• What is a watershed?
• What is the water cycle?
• How much water do we use?
• What makes water clean or dirty?
• Why is water so important to life?
• What can we do to protect our water?
• Where does drinking water come from?
• How do our actions affect water and all nature?

to attend the Santa Fe Children's Water Fiesta

Who?
4th grade students in the Santa Fe area

When?
April 16 and 17, 2013

Where?
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
201 West Marcy Street

Each School Group...
will attend one day and participate in five activities. There will be a BYO brown bag lunch break. 4th grade teachers are invited to apply to bring their students to the Fiesta. Space is limited so please apply early.

How to Apply
Complete the application form before Friday, February 22, 2013, to be placed on the list for consideration.

A One Hour...
teacher workshop will be provided for the attending teachers. The purpose of the workshop is to present logistical information, help teachers understand our desire for them to integrate the lessons of the fiesta with the core curriculum, and provide them with additional resources for water education. Samples of festival and in-class activities are presented, and each teacher receives a resource kit filled with teaching materials and ideas.

Students...
receive a free t-shirt which features artwork created by the grand prize winner in the City of Santa Fe's 2012 Water Conservation Poster Contest, Sabrina De Domenica. The water conservation message is "Living in a Drought." The t-shirts are worn on the day of the fiesta and have become quite popular.

The Santa Fe Children's Water Fiesta is a catalyst to encourage continuing water education. The activities will help students and teachers to understand what each of us can do to protect and conserve our most precious resource.

Students share a day learning that water is an essential, limited resource and that they can take action to protect this resource. Plus, each student attending the Fiesta will receive a Water Fiesta Tee Shirt!

Last years Children's Water Fiesta reached more than 650 students in two days!

Who are We?
We are a combination of city, county, state, federal, and non-profits, water managers, environmental educators, teachers, and others who are passionate about conserving water and protecting water quality.

Thanks to the 2013 and previous years steering committees. Sponsors and supporters unite in the process of public outreach to foster an understanding of water conservation and water quality concerns in our local elementary school aged children.

Ways to Help
Present an activity - Develop a fun, hands-on water activity for 4th grade students.

Be a volunteer - From Water Wizard to classroom guide, we need dozens of volunteers for each day.

For more information, contact Laurie Trevizo or Caryn Grosse at (505) 955-4225.