GRAND ISLAND — The Central Platte Natural Resources District is excited to host the annual Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival, featuring 36 school groups from 17 counties. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Central Community College and College Park campuses in Grand Island, Nebraska.
With over 700 fifth-grade students expected to attend, the festival will offer a day filled with educational experiences focused on groundwater and its significance to Nebraska. Students will participate in six hands-on classroom-style activities, attend two stage shows, and interact with professionals from 36 water and natural resources organizations.
Activities and Learning Opportunities
The festival will cover a range of topics related to groundwater, including aquifers, floodplains, watersheds, stream health, wildlife, ecosystems, wetlands, stormwater, wastewater, groundwater for agriculture, soil health, and more. Volunteers and presenters will guide students through these activities to ensure an engaging experience.
Activity Locations and Schedules
The Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival activities will take place across the Central Community College (CCC) and College Park (CP) campuses. Eight activities will be held outdoors, with the rest located indoors. For detailed information on activities, room numbers, and presenters, please refer to the attached 2024 Program_Activities (PDF).
Media Information
Media representatives are welcome to attend and cover the event. Registration desks at Central Community College and College Park will provide copies of the schedules for schools and presenters, allowing easy navigation between sessions. There are 34 classroom-style activities and two stage shows spread across three buildings on both campuses, with schedules posted outside each classroom. The event runs from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with lunch provided at no cost to all attendees in the outdoor tent.
Media Packets
Media packets will be available at the registration areas at both CCC and College Park campuses. Each packet includes a program, maps of the campuses, and a lunch ticket. If you need specific school or presenter schedules before the event, please contact Marcia Lee or Brody Vorderstrasse at (308) 385-6282, or email them at lee@cpnrd.org or brody@cpnrd.org.
Day-of-Event Contact Information
On the day of the event, you can reach Marcia at (308) 380-1220 or Brody at (402) 469-9319.
SCHOOLS ATTENDING
· Axtell Elementary, Kearney
· Bryan Elementary, Dawson (3 classes)
· Centennial Elementary, Seward
· Dodge Elementary, Hall (3 classes)
· Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran, York
· Eustis-Farnam Elementary, Frontier
· Hitchcock County, Hitchcock
· Humphrey St. Francis, Platte
· Kenesaw Elementary, Adams (2 classes)
· Litchfield Elementary, Sherman
· Ord Elementary, Valley (3 classes)
· Pershing Elementary, Dawson (9 classes)
· Red Cloud Elementary, Webster
· Riverside Elementary, Boone
· Sandhills Elementary, Blaine
· Sandy Creek Elementary, Clay
· Shell Creek, Platte (2 classes)
· St. Anthony Elementary, Platte
· St. Paul Elementary, Howard (2 classes)
· St. Edward Elementary, Boone
· Superior Elementary, Nuckolls
Volunteers Needed
To make the event a success, the festival requires over 100 volunteers to help with various tasks, such as guiding school groups, manning registration desks, assisting in the lunch tent, and supporting presenters. Emilee Bruns from Barr Middle School will bring 50 National Junior Honor Society students to help as classroom guides and assistants. Interested volunteers can contact Marcia Lee or Brody Vorderstrasse at the Central Platte NRD at (308) 385-6282.
How the Festival Began
The Groundwater Festival was established in 1985—39 years ago—to educate Nebraska students about groundwater in all its facets. It promotes awareness about groundwater issues, such as contamination and responsible water use, while fostering a sense of stewardship among the students. Since 2004, the Central Platte Natural Resources District (CPNRD) has coordinated the festival, marking this year as the 20th anniversary of CPNRD’s involvement.
How Students Learn at the Festival
The festival uses a classroom-style approach with 25-minute sessions to engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving. Presenters, including water experts, environmental educators, and performing artists, deliver a range of interdisciplinary hands-on activities, interactive displays, and entertainment, providing a rich learning experience.
International Impact
The Nebraska Children’s Groundwater Festival was the first of its kind, and its success has led to similar festivals being established in nearly 40 U.S. states, as well as in Mexico, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. The festival’s effectiveness is demonstrated by pre-and post-tests, evaluations, and a behavioral impact study, all indicating a positive influence on children’s awareness, knowledge, and behavior toward groundwater protection.
