Water Planet Challenge
EarthEcho International is launching the first ever, internationally-distributed challenge supported by a robust online knowledge center to engage middle and high school students in community service-learning projects that restore and protect oceans and related fresh water systems. Empowered youth can reduce community use of harmful products (including plastics and water bottles), protect habitats from erosion, create public service announcements that blast their message through social marketing and video outlets, and speak directly to policymakers and influence critical decisions that impact all of us. Through the Water Planet Challenge, students will be provided with service-learning information and curriculum templates that model multiple service opportunities to support the health of local water systems and demonstrate how such local actions have global impact. Students and teachers will also have access to standards-aligned, ocean and water-related curriculum enhancement content for middle and high school students. The collective results of these projects will be measured through innovative digital tracking tools designed specifically for this effort. EarthEcho International is leading a powerful consortium of service-learning content developers, education distribution organizations, and an innovative technology provider to create the highest quality experience. They include:
- Children for Children
- Discovery Education
- Hands on Network
- Planet Green
- Student Volunteer Foundation
- Validifi Technologies
- America's Promise Alliance
- CBK Associates
- Campus Compact
- Free Spirit Publishing
- Harvard University Extension School Sustainability and Environmental Management Program
- Ketchum
- National Service Learning Partnership
- National Youth Leadership Council
- Youth Service America.
One of the revolutionary attributes of this effort is that it will validate participation and track the collective impact of all registered service-learning projects across common outcomes-based metrics, so that school, district, city-wide, and state participation is documented and available as validated data. These data will capture the service trends of its participants and bring to light valuable program evaluation regarding best practices. This resource will aid educators with the necessary tools and support center to implement quality service and service-learning programs around critical ocean and water issues. The tracking system allows project administrators to maintain and administer project pages where students are invited to log their service events, reflect on their experiences, and share their knowledge with individuals around the world.