River KATS: Kid Activism Through Science
Developed in 2006, River Kid Activism Through Science, is an environmental education program that introduces K-12 students to watershed concepts through in-class activities and hands-on field trips, provided at zero cost to public schools in the IE. We offer a unique service by providing opportunities that bring text book pages to life at a time when budget cuts have eliminated these important learning experiences. We believe that getting kids "to the field" enriches the curriculum for elementary students, as well as AP environmental science, environmental science, general science, life science, biology and chemistry classes.
River KATS also promotes environmental science development and hands-on lessons in water quality issues and watershed protection. Through past work, we have found students consistently lack awareness on the pure existence of their local waterways. There also seems to be a void in understanding basic connections in water quality issues; many do not realize how urban runoff travels to storm drains which lead to rivers, and eventually downstream to our oceans. Furthermore, as local schools face budget cuts, funds for schools have been shifted away from excursions, leaving school districts unable to fund any field trips. Waterkeeper works to fill this opportunity through River KATS by reestablishing valuable field trip opportunities that allow students the ability to use the surrounding watershed as a living laboratory to encourage stewardship throughout the Santa Ana Watershed.
River KATS Covers the Cost of:
- Facility Fees
- Substitute teachers, if needed
- Buses!
River KATS Field Trip Destinations Brochure
- Note: Field Trip Destination availability varies throughout the school year. Some field trip destinations are unavailable based on school location.
River KATS Field Trip Timeline Brochure
Sign-up for a FREE River KATS Field Trip Today! Sign me up!
Rivercamp
Waterkeeper established Rivercamp, a summer program, in 2014 to connect the inland's youth to nature, science, and the Santa Ana River. At Rivercamp, students learn about important concepts in ecology, water science, and earth science through hands-on activities. They connect with nature and the treasure in their own back yard, the Santa Ana River. Rivercampers also go on nature walks, splash in the river, meet live animals, and learn how to be better environmental stewards while interacting with geologists, biologists, and zoologists. Rivercamp interconnects STEM-based science and nature while providing young children an opportunity to explore their river!
Classroom Watershed Education
Waterkeeper conducts in-class presentations and assemblies at local elementary schools. We educated students and teachers on water sustainability and watershed science. We focus on education that helps reduce stormwater pollution and educate on water conservation, increased awareness of water resource sustainability, and reducing runoff.
We start by educating teachers on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and California's Education and Environment Initiative (EEI). We provide teachers with an understanding of watershed science, stormwater pollution, and water quality testing. We give teachers the tools to integrate watershed science into their curriculum in an interactive way.
We conduct in individual in-class presentations with students that are both informative and interactive. We provide students the knowledge to make them better water stewards. The in-class presentations are part lecture and hands-on activities. We also provide students the chance to interact with live animals.
Contact IE Waterkeeper for Teacher and Facility Workshops in:
-Watershed Science
-Stormwater Education
-Drought Education
School-Wide Assemblies
Waterkeeper also conducts school-wide assemblies that touch base on water sustainability and stormwater pollution. We provide students with a visual educational experience on stormwater pollution and becoming better water stewards. 
Contact us for Water Stewardship Assemblies!
-Teaches children about the Santa Ana Watershed
-Informs children of water conservation
-Encourages stewardship
-Free giveaways!