October 4, 2006

 
LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama will host approximately 650 fourth graders on Tuesday, Oct. 24 for the fourth annual Sumter/Marengo Water Festival. The students from Marengo and Sumter county schools will participate in classroom sessions and hands-on activities focusing on groundwater, the hydrologic cycle and the importance of water to all life.

“The students learn where their drinking water comes from and learn how to protect it and keep it clean for themselves and future generations,” said Alan Tartt, director of UWA’s Alabama Onsite Wastewater Association Training Center.

Students will learn about the relationships between plants, wildlife, soil and water during fun interactive activities and classroom sessions.

“We want to teach them how human actions affect our water and all nature and about the need for responsible conservation of our natural resources,” Tartt said.

Organizers have planned several experiments and demonstrations that help the children grasp the environmental concepts of water. The most popular activity each year proves to be the edible aquifer.

“The aquifers have layers of ice cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles and more. After the children build them, they get to eat them. Everyone loves that activity,” said Tartt.

After the morning sessions, comedian and “rockin’ eco-hero” Steve Trash will conduct a magic show tailored to this age group. Trash, who has taken his act across the globe, will perform magic tricks with garbage and teach the students about ecology in an entertaining style.

Each student, teacher and volunteer will receive the official Water Festival t-shirt, designed by the winner of the t-shirt design contest. The lucky fourth grader whose design is chosen and his or her teacher will each receive a $50 prize at the festival.

Water festival sponsors include the UWA College of Education, the Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Tombigbee Resource Conservation & Development Council, the Sumter County Water Authority and the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee. Together they hope to foster a general environmental awareness and stewardship ethic in the children.

For more information about the Sumter/Marengo Water Festival or to volunteer, contact Alan Tartt at atartt@uwa.edu or 205-652-3803.