Children’s Northern Maine Water Festival Coming to UMaine

Contact: Laura Wilson, 207-581-2971, lwilson@umext.maine.edu

ORONO, Me. — The seventh Northern Maine Children’s Water Festival is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the University of Maine. This event was created for 5th and 6th  grade students and their teachers from Maine communities in the northern part of the state to demonstrate water’s properties, values, and uses, along with education about threats to water quality. Organizers also hope the festival will help develop student interest in careers related to the environment and environmental protection. The festival also provides an opportunity for networking among teachers, students and presenters.

The planning committee consists of representatives from the state Department of Environmental Protection in Bangor, Presque Isle, and Augusta; UMaine’s Conferences and Institutes Division, George Mitchell Center for Environmental and Watershed Research and  Cooperative Extension;  the state Department of Health and Human Services; Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District; Penobscot Nation and Union River Watershed Coalition.

The festival features presentations, exhibits, and quiz and stage shows, all with a water theme. Students engage in hands-on activities on topics such as wetland habitats, lakes, wildlife, groundwater, and aquatic life. Over 600 students are already registered. The quiz show hosts will include local media personalities, Jason Czpapiga from Atlantic Salmon Commission, Eric Johns from the Air National Guard and the Bangor Area Stormwater Group, and Joel Nadeau from Bangor Police Department.

Participants will receive free educational materials and there is no charge to send students to the festival.

For more information please contact Laura Wilson at 207-581-2971, lwilson@umext.maine.edu.