pcv projects
“ Yuck, what did you put in this water?” These aren’ t typical words you hear after giving someone water to drink; but, then again, you weren’ t in my classroom on March 22 nd. Call it clever, tricky or just plain mean, but seeing the look on a kid’ s face after they drink water with vinegar in it, is priceless!“ Why would someone do this to the innocent(… well … not so innocent) seventh graders?” you might ask. Aside from being an entertaining activity – for everyone else, that is – this was a great way to jump start the discussion on clean water in our communities and the fact that the word“ clean” is more than just what we are able to see.
For World Water Day Aaron and I gave presentations to the fifth through eighth grade students at the school where I work. With the help of our local friends, coworkers, and pictures from around town, we created a presentation along with small handouts.
We also discussed our impact on the environment and how our everyday actions affect the world around us today and for many gen-
erations to come. We made the kids gasp in astonishment as they saw photos of how animals are affected by the pollution of lakes, rivers and oceans and we showed them simple ways to reduce and reuse shopping bags and water bottles.
Our main objective was to teach the kids easy ways that they can make a difference: 1. Throw trash where it belongs!
2. Reduce our use of materials and reuse them!
3. Be aware and speak up when others pollute!
4. Take action!
After school, we provided the kids with the opportunity to show off their budding science skills by testing water in the Vardar River. We also challenged them to utilize their critical thinking skills to develop water filters from natural materials. Thirty-three kids followed us through muddy paths and roaring winds to where there is a small sand bank along the Vardar where we split them into two groups; water testing with Aaron and water filtering with me. The kids eagerly participated in our activities and even had time to show off their projects once they saw our camera. As irony might have it, the only hiccup that arose was that part of our water testing kit was taken by the wind and washed down the Vardar River. Oh, if anyone in Southern Macedonia happens to find it, can you return it to the Peace Corps office for us?
Photos by Aaron Weaver
Spring 2013 – 29