Cal Water H2O Challenge is a project-based, environmentally-focused competition for classrooms (grades 4-6). The students of participating classrooms initiate, develop, and implement a 4-8 week-long project (or longer at teacher discretion), focusing on caring for water. This class-based project explores water as a global resource and as a local resource, while tackling a local water problem in an individual and community-based endeavor.
Upon completion of the project, students create a final portfolio documenting their work. This portfolio, along with accompanying cover sheets, student reflections, and a teacher reflection, constitute the final submission.
The Grand Prize-winning classroom will receive a tent-camping trip to the Santa Monica Mountains with NatureBridge, a $3,500 grant, and Cal Water prize packs for every student.
Designed in conjunction with NAAEE, the WestEd K-12 Alliance, and Cal Water, and aligned with the Common Core State Standards and complimentary to the Next Generation Science Standards, Cal Water H2O Challenge offers a unique opportunity for upper elementary (grades 4-6) teachers to facilitate their students’ learning of standards-based content, while developing the core understanding of environmental principles necessary to becoming science-literate citizens.