Who Attends the Festival?

The event is offered to all fourth grade students and teachers in a county. It is felt that this age group is able to understand groundwater concepts, while still young enough to form their own value system. Each class participates in three hands-on groundwater activities and attends an exciting entertainment event. The activities are compatible with the fourth grade course of study and SAT objectives.

Who Is Involved?

For an event of this magnitude to be successful, the assistance of many dedicated volunteers is needed. Festival volunteers are called upon to lead, as well as serve, in many different capacities. A volunteer base of 45 to 100 is vital to a smoothly-running event. The planning team, activity presenters and tour guides are all volunteers that represent a cross-section of organizations and people across the county. Funds for the event are raised through local sponsorship.

What Do The Students, Teachers, and Volunteers Receive?

Every student, teacher, and volunteer receives a free Groundwater Festival t-shirt . A t-shirt design contest is open to all the students attending. The winning entry's design will appear on the printed t-shirt and the winner and their teacher each receive a $50 savings bond. In addition, each teacher receives a bag filled with free posters, curriculum booklets and other environmental educational material.

What Will The Students Learn?

• The role of surface and groundwater in the water cycle
• The importance of water to all life
• The interdependance of plants, trees, wildlife, soil and water
• The effect of human actions on water and all nature
• The need for responsible action. This includes issues related to water pollution and water conservation.

Festival Program

The Groundwater Festival is a one or two day, free event for fourth grade students and teachers.
Upon arrival to the festival, a volunteer will greet each class at the parking lot and will act as Tour Guide for the day. The Tour Guide will take the class to all their activities, staying with them throughout the day.
Students attend 30-minute hands-on activities such as building aquifers, wetlands, filtration systems, and water cycle systems. These activities can be adapted to each counties specific environmental needs. Each activity reinforces the lessons learned throughout the day.
After the third activity, the classes will regroup to attend an educational entertainment event, which generally lasts 45 minutes. The entertainment is an opportunity for the classes to reconnect after several hours of hands-on activities and to enjoy entertainment that pulls together everything they learned that day. The kids and teachers leave upbeat and excited about what they have learned.

For more information:
Enid Probst
ADEM Groundwater Branch
PO Box 301463
Montgomery, AL 36101
(334) 271-7953