Water Across the World

We all need clean, freshwater to be healthy, yet many people around the world do not have access to good quality water. Our project aims to increase awareness of the link between human activities and water quality from local to global scales by improving water quality and conservation education for students in Ohio and Uganda. We have been working with a group of school-age children from Muskingum County, Ohio and Lake Nabugabo, Uganda for a few years, trying to foster communication between the two groups about the similarities and differences in water quality issues each group faces. For example, water quality in the streams and rivers in Muskingum might be influenced by pollution from urbanization, while in western Uganda agriculture and the destruction of wetlands might be driving poor water quality. We are trying to implement a water quality monitoring program with both groups so that they can compare their results and promote global mindfulness about water quality. The students we've worked with in both countries absolutely love being out collecting water quality data - especially collecting and identifying aquatic invertebrates! For some of the Ugandan children this is their first experience doing hands-on science. With your support we will be able to purchase the necessary equipment for monitoring water quality, train teachers in Uganda about the program, and create a multimedia means of communication for the two groups of students. The students have so far connected via letters and short videos, but with this project we hope to be able to purchase disposable cameras so the students can show us their own perspective on water issues and together create a photo essay that will help all of us better understand the link between humans and water across the world.