California Water Service Provides 400 Students with Hands-On Learning to Care for Water Through Conservation Field Trips

Rhea-AI Summary

California Water Service (CWT) has expanded its educational outreach through its Aqua Adventures program, providing hands-on water conservation field trips to over 400 students from 4th to 6th grade across California. The program, part of Cal Water's "Tap Into Learning" conservation education initiative in partnership with DoGoodery, took students from 12 different schools to explore locations including Scout Island, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and California Academy of Sciences. The field trips aim to teach students about water's role in ecosystems and the importance of resource conservation. In its 11th year, the program includes additional educational initiatives such as $250 Water Smart Grants for teachers, a Splash of Creativity art competition, and an H2Oath pledge program.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Water Service (Cal Water) has given more than 400 students from Chico to Los Angeles a hall pass to take their education beyond the classroom this spring. As part of Cal Water’s Aqua Adventures, which provides environmentally focused field trips for 4^th- to 6^th-grade classrooms, the utility provided students from 12 classes an up-close look at water and the role it plays in the ecosystem to inspire the next generation to be good stewards of this finite, natural resource.

“These trips help students see that water is such a critical yet finite resource, and that no matter how old we are, we can make choices to care for it,” said Marty Kropelnicki, Cal Water Chairman and CEO. “We are pleased to partner with schools to extend education beyond the classroom with hands-on lessons that can make a lasting impact.”

Aqua Adventures is part of Cal Water’s conservation education program, “Tap Into Learning,” offered in partnership with DoGoodery. In its 11^th year, the program offers multiple opportunities for students, classrooms, and school-based clubs in Cal Water service areas to engage in activities throughout the 2024-25 academic year.

Students from the following 12 schools spent their day trip exploring either Scout Island on the San Joaquin River in Fresno, Calif.; Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, Calif.; or California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco:
-Beresford Elementary in San Mateo
-Bonita Street Elementary in Carson
-Connect Community Charter in Redwood City
-Del Rey Elementary in King City
-Hamilton Elementary in Hamilton City
-Heritage Christian School in Bakersfield
-Houston Elementary in Visalia
-KIPP Academy of Innovation in Los Angeles
-Linford L. Anderson Elementary in Guerneville
-Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle School in Rancho Palos Verdes
-Wilhelmina Henry Elementary in Stockton
-Walden Academy in Willows

Grisel Ibarra’s King City 5^th-graders spent the day on the San Joaquin River taking water samples and learning about water quality.

“My students often don’t get to go places outside of school, so I thought this would be a great opportunity for them to get outside of their little community,” Ibarra said. “After today, they have a new idea of where water comes from and what we do to our water to be able to drink it. Cal Water, thank you so much for this opportunity.”

Besides Aqua Adventures, Cal Water offers $250 Water Smart Grants to teachers proposing classroom water projects. Applications are open year-round to teachers in grades 4 through 6 working in a Cal Water service area. For more information about the program and eligibility requirements, or our Splash of Creativity art competition and H₂Oath pledge also offered as part of Tap Into Learning, visit challenge.calwater.com.

About California Water Service

California Water Service provides high-quality, reliable water utility services to more than 2.1 million people statewide through 499,400 service connections. Cal Water’s purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers and communities. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company’s 1,200 employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The utility has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” and one of the “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work®.  More information is available at www.calwater.com.

Contact:
Laura Florez-McCusker, 559-356-1577          
Yvonne Kingman, 310-257-1434

FAQ

What is California Water Service's (CWT) Aqua Adventures program?

Aqua Adventures is CWT's educational program providing field trips for 4th-6th grade students to learn about water conservation and ecosystems through hands-on experiences at locations like Scout Island, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and California Academy of Sciences.

How many students participated in CWT's 2025 Aqua Adventures field trips?

Over 400 students from 12 different schools across California participated in the Aqua Adventures field trips in spring 2025.

What other educational programs does California Water Service offer?

CWT offers $250 Water Smart Grants for teachers' classroom water projects, a Splash of Creativity art competition, and an H2Oath pledge program as part of their 'Tap Into Learning' initiative.

How long has California Water Service's Tap Into Learning program been running?

The Tap Into Learning program has been running for 11 years, offering various educational opportunities for students and classrooms in Cal Water service areas.