October 25, 2005

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama hosted approximately 700 fourth graders for the third annual Sumter/Marengo Water Festival on the UWA campus Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2005. The students from Marengo and Sumter county schools participated in classroom session and hands-on activities focusing on groundwater, the hydrologic cycle and the importance of water to all life.

Sponsors including UWA, the Sumter County Soil and Water Conservation District, public utilities and local schools hoped to foster a general environmental awareness and stewardship ethic in the children.

Organizers planned several experiments and demonstrations, led by UWA College of Education students, that helped the children grasp the environmental concepts of water. The most popular activity at past Water Festivals, the edible aquifer, proved to be a hit this year as well.

After the morning sessions, comedian and “rockin’ eco-hero” Steve Trash conducted a magic show tailored to this age group. Trash, a Florence, Ala., native who has taken his act across the globe,  performed magic tricks with garbage, teaching the students about ecology in his entertaining style.

Prior to this year’s festival, each fourth grader had the opportunity to design a T-shirt for the event. The winning design by Arik Washington, a student at York West End, appeared on the official Water Festival T-shirts, distributed to all students, teachers and volunteers. Washington  and his teacher each received a $50 cash prize. Each teacher also received free posters, booklets and other environmental education materials at the festival.