The pipeline to jobs starts with actively engaging K-12 students who are interested in water science. We invite K-12 educators to partner with us to inspire young people to become strong stewards of our state’s ecosystems and to explore academic degrees and careers in water-related fields. We offer downloadable resources as well as programs and workshops for educators, led by Universities of Wisconsin faculty and staff.
Downloadable Resources
Programs and Workshops for Educators
The Freshwater Collaborative and its academic partners offer numerous programs and workshops for K-12 students and educators. Below you’ll find current opportunities for educators. For high school summer programs, click here.
High School Environmental Science Day, May 2. UW-Eau Claire Campus.
UW-Eau Claire’s Environmental Science Day brings together high school students, teachers, and university faculty and students for a day of freshwater exploration and discovery. If you are an educator interested in participating in the 2025 Environmental Science Day, contact Sarah Vitale at VITALESA@uwec.edu.
K-12 Educator Groundwater Workshop, June 30. UW-Eau Claire Campus.
This workshop will cover the fundamentals of groundwater flow, and include field and model activities, as well as a tour of the water treatment plant. Educators who participate in science education at the K-12 level are eligible to apply. Application deadline is May 15. Link to application: tinyurl.com/k12groundwater
UW-Green Bay Freshwater Educator Network
UW-Green Bay coordinates a network of educators to facilitate programming within communities in the 16 county UW-Green Bay footprint and connect water-related work in high schools to UW-Green Bay/UW System campuses. Field experiences and workshops provide students and/or teachers with hands-on water science activities. Learn more.
UW Oshkosh Hands-on Programs for Educators
The Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) at UW Oshkosh provides hands-on applied experiences for teachers and students at their facility at UW Oshkosh. The ERIC has a classroom that can hold 28 students, and staff can develop customized hands-on experiences for classes and teachers who are interested in exploring freshwater field and laboratory techniques or concepts. The ERIC can also customize an experience that can translate into projects that can be done at your school utilizing our infrastructure as a support mechanism. Finally, the ERIC facility is on the Fox River and has the ability to take students and educators on our boat for unique on the water experiences that allow students to explore field applications related to freshwater sciences. Contact the ERIC lab to learn more.
Resources
Below you’ll find downloadable materials for your classroom or to hand out to students.
PFAS Education Workshop Materials
PFAS are a group of humanmade chemicals found in thousands of products, such as nonstick cookware and firefighting foam. They have been linked to significant health concerns, including cancer. The PFAS Education Workshop helps middle and high school educators bring PFAS education into their classrooms. These materials are downloadable and free for any educator to use. Download PFAS Workshop Materials
Careers in Water Graphic
