OUC’s Water Color Project: Helping Art Students Promote Water Conservation
Orange County public school students are helping OUC get the word out about the importance of saving water. Since 2007, OUC and Orange County Utilities Water have sponsored the Water Color Project, an education outreach effort designed to encourage water conservation through art.
For the past two years, OUC and Orange County Utilities Water have hosted a special reception at the Orlando Repertory Theatre to honor the winners and participants. At the reception, representatives from OUC’s and Orange County’s water departments honor the high school students who decorated rainwater barrels and the elementary students who submitted drawings for the Water Color Project calendar.
"We’re excited to see how quickly the Water Color Project is growing with more and more Orange County teachers and students participating each year," said OUC Vice President of Water Rob Teegarden, who introduced the program. "Water supply is a critical issue here in Central Florida and these talented students are helping to creatively deliver the message of water conservation to their fellow students and their community."
Boone High School art teacher Maureen Maurer said her students have been overwhelmed by the reception, awards and the theatrical performance. "Thank you for a wonderful project that integrates the arts," Maurer said. "We need to keep it going, for the advocacy of art is an integral part of education."
Get Involved
Teachers, to learn how your classes and students can participate, simply download the Entry Guidelines and Forms by visiting the
Water Color Project.
OUC’s Project A.W.E.S.O.M.E.: Environmental Education for 5th Graders
Educating young people about the importance of conserving resources is a vital lifeline to ensuring a sustainable environment for the future. OUC partnered with the Orlando Science Center to implement Project “A.W.E.S.O.M.E.” (Alternative Water & Energy Supply; Observation, Methods & Education). During the 2009-2010 school year, OUC will deliver a series of 90 minute workshops on energy and water conservation to 5,500 5th graders within OUC’s service area in Orange County and St Cloud.