A Meaningful Watershed Educational
Experience, or MWEE, enables
students to participate in hands-on
environmental learning about
the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
This experience will serve as the
foundation for a rich, lifelong
relationship between students
and their Bay. Throughout the
MWEE process, students develop a
sense of environmental ethics and
stewardship that are essential to the long-term sustainability
of the Chesapeake Bay. In addition, studies have shown that
hands-on environmental education increases the academic
performance of students in a variety of subjects.
What Is a MWEE?
A MWEE integrates field work in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed with multidisciplinary classroom activities and
instruction. Students then share their discoveries with local
schools and communities, both orally and in writing.
MWEEs Are Investigative or Project-Oriented.
Students investigate questions, problems, and issues related
to the watershed. Activities include streambank or oyster
restoration projects and planting underwater grasses; water
quality monitoring; on-site studies of Bay plants and animals;
or social studies that deepen a student's understanding of
historical, cultural, or economic interests. Projects may also
involve interaction with natural resource personnel.
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MWEEs Are Integrated within the Instructional Program.
A MWEE is not a single field trip; rather, the experience
reflects an integrated approach to learning. MWEEs align
with jurisdictional learning standards and occur where and
when they fit into the existing curriculum. They also are
effective tools for teaching many subjects—including science,
math, history, reading, and art.
MWEEs Involve Preparation, Action, and Reflection.
A MWEE is organized into three phases. First, students
research and discuss a watershed issue or problem in
preparation for the field component. Second, students take
action by observing, measuring, or collecting data during
their outdoor experience. Third, students return to the
classroom, reflect upon and analyze their project, and reach
conclusions.
MWEEs Reveal the Watershed as a System.
MWEEs have an intentional connection to the watershed as
a whole. Experiences focus not only on the Bay, rivers, and
streams, but also on terrestrial issues such as erosion control,
buffer creation, groundwater protection, and pollution
prevention.
Students and Teachers Sustain MWEEs throughout the
School Year.
In-class preparation and reflection activities are vital to
solidify the watershed concept. Thus, an outdoor experience,
or extended outdoor project, should be expanded by
classroom activities throughout the school year.
Did you know?
Recognizing the value of hands-on environmental
education, the governors of the Chesapeake Bay
states and the Mayor of Washington, D.C., signed
a commitment in 2000 to provide
a meaningful watershed
experience for every student in
the Chesapeake Bay watershed
before graduation from high
school. -
www.chesapeakebay.net
1-800-YOUR-BAY
Eyes Are Opened, Environmental Ethics Are Formed
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NOAA B-WET
Ihe NOAA Chesapeake Bay
B-WET Program provides hands-on
watershed education to students and
teachers to foster stewardship of the
Chesapeake Bay. B-WET supports
^ i . „ the commitment of the Chesapeake
^ ^ E A ' Bay Program—a partnership for
watershed restoration—to provide every
student in the watershed with a meaningful bay or stream
outdoor experience before graduation from high school. To
accomplish this, B-WETfocuses on enabling experiences for
students and teachers.
MWEEs for Students
MWEEs support bringing the outdoors into the classroom
through a strong complement of field and classroom
experiences. This provides an opportunity to teach science,
math, reading, social studies, and even art in an interesting
and thought-provoking manner.
Professional. Development for Teachers
By providing teachers with the knowledge and confidence
to weave together classroom and field activities to meet
existing learning standards, student engagement and
achievement is increased.
Hou> to Apply
The B-WET program provides competitive grants and
technical support facilitating MWEEs for students and
related professional development for teachers. Typical grants
range from $50,000 to $150,000. Eligible organizations
include:
• Schools and school systems
• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit organizations
• State and local government agencies
More information on the application process and other
programs is available at http://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov.
ChART Your Way to Bay Education
Chesapeake Academic Resources for
Teachers (ChART) is a
web site designed to help
educators provide MWEEs
to their students. It is
conveniently divided into three
searchable sections: teaching
resources, professional development, and field studies. This
makes finding information you need fast and easy.
Teaching Resources
Use ChART to search a host of great teaching resources
including books, data, web sites, and much more.
Professional Development
Prepare yourself to teach your students about the Chesapeake
Bay and its watershed. Browse a large database of professional
development training that can help you find the right
program for you.
Field Study Programs
Search our library of field study programs and find
opportunities that enable your students to experience the
Bay's watershed hands-on.
ChART content has been approved by state departments of
education, and wherever possible aligns with standards of
learning and/or academic standards.
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