Nebraska Children's Groundwater Festival
Educating 4^th and 5^th-grade students about groundwater and its relationship to other natural resources in a fun and interactive atmosphere.  

The 2008 Festival is...... Tuesday, May 13th ...........at the Central Community College & College Park in Grand Island, Nebraska...

The Nebraska's Children Groundwater Festival is an annual one-day event for 4th-5th grade students of Nebraska. It's a dynamic, energetic day filled with hands-on education. Coordinated by the Central Platte Natural Resources District, the Festival is going on it's 20th year at the Central Community College & College Park in Grand Island.  The event was originally organized by The Groundwater Foundation for it’s first 16 years.

The focus of the Festival is to educate youth through lively entertainment, interactive displays and tangible experiments.  Presenters include groundwater and natural resources professionals representing government agencies, environmental organizations, higher education, high school leadership clubs, private business, and interested citizens.

The activities are designed to teach children about groundwater in a hands-on, interactive manner. Fun entertainment such as water magicians, folksingers and musicians, puppet shows, storytellers, and raptor shows add to the festive atmosphere.  The Children's Groundwater Festival has become an international model that has been adapted and replicated throughout the world. Festivals have been held in nearly 40 U.S. states, Mexico City, several provinces in Canada, and New Delhi, India. People everywhere are realizing the importance of educating young people about groundwater and how groundwater connects to all other resources.  

Click for:    Volunteer Form    2008 Program       High School Students: Scholarship/Grant Program   Community Service Hours

        For Educators:  Water Cycle    What is Groundwater?   Groundwater Glossary                                                          Schools attending in 2008:

2008 GROUNDWATER FESTIVAL STATS

2008 THEME:  It's our 20th Anniversary!  “Celebration of Water” is the theme for the 2008 Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival. While participating in hands-on activities, stage shows, and exhibits, students will discover their potential for environmental stewardship and the value of collaboration as they learn how working together can impact natural resources conservation.  

School traveling farthest:  St. Pauls Lutheran from Ogallala with 8 students! 
Statewide Representation: There are 31 schools representing from 30 cities across the state!  
                                                 1,000 Total Students Attending   
Largest School Attending:  Wasmer Elementary with 110 students.
Smallest School Attending:  Platte Valley SDA with 3 students.

                         NEW ACTIVITIES!  The Festival welcomes these new activities & presenters!                      
STAGESHOWS
"Well of Laughter" presented by Comedian-Jay Hendren
“Save the Batteries & Other Lessons” presented by Deborah Greenblatt/Nebraska Humanities Council
CLASSROOMS
“Edible Aquifer” presented by Grand Island Youth Council
“Groundwater Game Show” presented by Nebraska Health & Human Service, Division of Public Health
“Groundwater Challenge” presented by the Groundwater Foundation
"Thirsty Earth" presented by Grand Island Groundwater Guardian Team
"Wastewater Jeopardy" presented by Nebraska Water Environment Association
"Water Banking" presented by UNL-Nebraska Drought Mitigation Center
"Wild About Wetlands!" presented by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
"You're A Drip!"  UNL & Hall County 4-H
EXHIBIT HALL
“As the River Runs...So Goes the Trail” presented by Stuhr Museum
"Groundwater Model" presented by Nebraska Section American Water Works Association

                             BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
CLASSROOMS
"Awesome Aquifer" presented by Natural Resources Conservation Service
"Beaver Adaptions" presented by Pioneers Park Nature Center
"Big or Small, Plug 'Em All" by Upper Republican NRD/Imperial Groundwater Guardian Team  (See photo)
"Button Up Those Wells" presented by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7
"Every Drop Counts" presented by Keep Loup Basin Beautiful & Loup Basin RC&D
"Fantastic Fun River Run" presented by Upper Big Blue NRD
“Febold Feboldson” presented by Bob Manley Jr.  
“GISH Water Island & GISH Water World” both presented by Grand Island Senior High's Environmental Science Students
“Gooey Garbage” presented by Olsson Associates
"Groundwater Feud & Water Cycle" presented by Cargill Team Blair
“Water Jelly Crystal” presented by Bureau of Reclamation
“H₂0wood Squares” presented by Jami Harper & Friends
“H₂0wood Triathlon” presented by Rowe Sanctuary
"Hidden Household Hazards" presented by Meridian Enrichment Program
"Kitchen Chemistry" presented by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7
"Landfill Connection" presented by Clean Community System & Grand Island Solid Waste Division
"Light Your Life With Water" presented by Nebraska Public Power District
“Rain, Rain, Come My Way” presented by Noyes Art Gallery  
"Should Water Look Like Chocolate Milk?" presented by University of Nebraska-Lincoln
"The Raptor Connection" presented by Raptor Recovery Nebraska
"Water Drop Bangles" presented by Momfeather Erickson
"Water Jelly Crystals" presented by Bureau of Reclamation
"Water Races" presented by Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
"Water Tripping" presented by Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers
"Water Wheel of Fortune" presented by University of Nebraska
"Weather to Water" presented by School of Natural Resources-UNL
EXHIBIT HALL
"Castaway Club" presented by the Festival Committee
"Environmental Education Trailer" presented by Midland Recycling
"Hydro Shot" presented by Cargill Inc.
"Luck of the Drop" presented by the Festival Committee
"What Contaminants Do You See & Where Should We Drill a New Well?" presented by Water Well Standards Program, State of Nebraska HHSS
"Terrific Tattoos" presented by the Festival Committee
  

              
           "Big or Small, Plug 'Em All"                                             "Gooey Garbage"                                 "Sandhill Song" (Stageshow in 2007)

          
                      "Edible Aquifer"                                                          "Water Jelly"

PRESENTERS/VOLUNTEERS   Approximately 75 presenters representing local, state, and federal agencies, higher education, private business, and environmental organizations participate in the Festival.  In addition, over 100 volunteers including retired teachers, local business representatives, high school students, extension club members and others help to make the festival a success by lending their time and talents.

SPECIAL RELATED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

• Festival Art Award – An art contest is sponsored each year for students attending the Festival. 
  2007 Winners: 1st Place: Makenna Placzek, Gates Elementary; 2nd Place: Haley Friesen, Gates Elementary; 3rd Place: Rachel Phinney, Cedar Hollow.  Savings bonds and medallions are presented to 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd place artists.
• Don Nelson Festival Service Award – This award, named for Central Community College President Don Nelson, is given to the individual or organization providing exceptional, long-term service to the Festival.  The 2007 Don Nelson Festival Service Award winner was Cargill.
• Lona and Jack Shafer Volunteer Award – This award, named for long-time Festival volunteer Lona and Jack Shafer, is presented to the volunteer who most exemplifies Lona and Jack’s dedication to young people and groundwater education.  The 2007 winner was Jami Harper, presenter and $10,000 donor.

FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS   Kelly Cole and Marcia Lee, Festival Coordinators---Central Platte Natural Resources District;     Festival Committee: Betty Curtis, Norma Janulewicz, Bob Stroup, Karen Cox, Judy O’Sullivan, Julie Frandsen, Liz Geberding, Rita Kolbet, Rogers Andrews, Sharon Oakeson, Ken Gnadt, Bill Brennan

If your school would like to attend the Nebraska Children's Groundwater Festival or if you would like to volunteer for the event, 
contact Kelly Cole or Marcia Lee at the Central Platte Natural Resources District (308) 385-6282.

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