The 12th Annual Children’s Water Fiesta was held on April 16 and 17, 2014, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. Fourth graders from 11 different schools attended the Fiesta this year. Each day approximately 300 students participated in five of the 15 hands-on, water related activities. High school students from Monte Del Sol Charter School Environmental Sciences class and Santa Fe High School Key Club, many of whom attended the Water Fiesta when they were in 4th grade, guided the classes from one activity to the next.
Since 2002, the Children’s Water Fiesta has been introducing students to new ideas, technology and solutions to help teach them the importance of saving water for the future. During the event, the fourth-grade students learn about all facets of water, from conservation and wastewater to ecosystems, watersheds and pollution. Experts present water-related facts, concepts and values through fun, hands-on learning activities. Students have the opportunity to play Water Jeopardy, act as water droplets moving through the water cycle, and observe water bugs, or small reptiles and amphibians, up close. The activities are designed to cover core teaching curriculum in math, science, social studies, language and visual arts, and health and wellness.
This event would not be possible without the support and participation from a number of organizations, ranging from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary, The Nature Conservancy, New Mexico State Parks, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service, Santa Fe National Forest, Los Alamos County, City of Santa Fe Canyon Road Drinking Water Facility, US Bureau of Reclamation, City of Santa Fe Wastewater Management, Buckman Direct Diverson, NMED Surface Water Quality Department, Sandia National Laboratories, the NM Office of the State Engineer, and the Institute for Energy and the Environment/WERC, City of Santa Fe Constituent Services, Keep Santa Fe Beautiful, the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, and the City of Santa Fe Transportation Department.
A reporter from the Santa Fe New Mexican was on hand on Wednesday, April 16, to capture some of the fun, and Councilor Peter Ives read a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Gonzales on Thursday, April 17, as part of the lunchtime festivities.