Science to policy
Ways to support
Ways to support
Waterschool USA is dedicated to enhancing water literacy and empowering communities to protect vital freshwater resources. The program focuses on educating people living in the Mississippi River watershed about the essential human connection to healthy, functioning river ecosystems. Our goal is not only to educate students, but also to inspire them to take positive action within their communities.
The Waterschool USA program supports a variety of community and school-based initiatives. Through classroom visits and hands-on exploration, we help learners understand the impact of water on our lives and the importance of sustainable water practices.
Jolena Pang, Waterschool USA Program Manager
NGRREC/L&C
One Confluence Way
East Alton, IL 62024
jpang@lc.edu
Phone: (618)-468-2790
Through Waterschool, we offer teacher training workshops for both formal and non-formal educators. These workshops include Project WET workshops as well as more specialized watershed education offerings. Educators attending these workshops receive comprehensive training, a complimentary educator toolkit, professional development hours, and opportunities for community engagement activities and field trips. Through these sessions, our program brings hands-on exploration of water, the Mississippi River watershed, and the human impact on freshwater resources directly into your classroom. If you are interested in becoming a Waterschool educator, please contact our Program Manager, Jolena Pang, at jpang@lc.edu.
 |
In an ongoing commitment to our students and teachers, we have established a program that provides Waterschool educators access to essential classroom sanitation supplies—such as hand sanitizer, soap, disinfectant wipes, and other hygiene products. This initiative is one of the ways the Waterschool USA program supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure Access to Water and Sanitation for all.
Waterschool USA hosts immersive summer programs for students from middle school through undergraduate levels. Operating from the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center field station, these camps combine guided canoe trips and field excursions to local landmarks—such as the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower, Confluence Point State Park, and the East Alton Drinking Water Treatment Plant—with hands-on activities that explore our local water resources. Our film “Kids on the River” captures the transformative experience at Camp Waterschool.
 |
 |
 |
In partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College’s College 4 Kids program, elementary and middle school students engage in scientific investigations, arts and crafts, and outdoor adventures—including pond explorations and stream science activities—that culminate in a memorable guided canoe trip. Older students participate in week-long programs designed to connect them with the Mississippi River, discover local waterways, and explore natural resource career pathways.
 |
 |
 |
Waterschool USA was originally launched at NGRREC in 2016 as part of the Swarovski Foundation’s global Waterschool program. The Swarovski Foundation’s Waterschool began in Austria in 2000 and grew into an international education initiative focused on sustainable water management, hygiene, and environmental stewardship. Globally, Waterschool has engaged more than 23,000 teachers, involved over 2,500 schools, and reached more than 800,000 young people. Historically, the program operated with local partners across major river watersheds including the Danube, Ganges, Yangtze, Nile, Amazon, Chao Phraya, Mississippi, and Parramatta.
We are grateful for the Swarovski Foundation’s past and lasting support of Waterschool at NGRREC and for the global legacy of Waterschool’s water-education impact. NGRREC continues advancing water literacy and youth stewardship in the Mississippi River watershed by building on these lessons and partnerships.
