Pennsylvania utility partners with schools to promote water sustainability, careers

A Girl Scout patch and a rain garden are among the tools that Pennsylvania American Water is using to engage young people in sustainability practices and introduce them to water sector careers.

The water and wastewater utility is collaborating with schools and students in the 417 communities it serves, tailoring education programs to each specific location.

“We know that the needs and goals of each school district are unique to them,” said Kara Rahn, Pennsylvania American Water’s senior manager of government and external affairs. “That is why we collaborate with schools however they need to meet their needs, while balancing their limited resources and time.”

The utility provides funding to create educational materials, implement sustainability initiatives and develop science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) curriculum. It also offers expertise and guidance to schools on curricula development, provides training on sustainability practices and connects students with water sector career opportunities.

“School administrators and teachers have a myriad of competing priorities to juggle these days,” said Rahn. “If there are projects or strategies that we can partner on to enhance the students’ experience, motivate their passions, drive district goals or provide access to real-world experiences, we want to help.” (Pictured above from left: Girl Scout badge, check presentation, rain garden.)

Hands on water education

One of Pennsylvania American Water’s successful partnerships is with the Pennsbury School District in Bucks County. When a student at William Penn Middle School had the idea to build a rain garden in the school’s courtyard, the project came to life thanks in part to Pennsylvania American Water’s Environmental Grant Program. 

“Our grant covered the costs of soil, composting, floral additions, plants and more, which allowed the school the freedom to design the garden however they liked,” Rahn said. 

The project also received funding from the school district, the Penn State Extension Watershed Steward Program and community volunteers. Now that it’s fully built, the rain garden helps mitigate flooding and erosion and provides an outdoor classroom for students to learn about water sustainability.

Another successful partnership is the “We Keep Water Flowing” Girl Scout patch program. Pennsylvania American Water developed it to educate Girl Scouts about water resources, source water protection and water sector careers. 

“The program is designed to expand the scouts’ knowledge about water resources and their impact on the environment,” Rahn said. “Keeping it girl-led, participants are able to work through the program individually and choose activities that meet their interests and available resources.”

To earn the “We Keep Water Flowing” patch, scouts are required to complete educational and environmental activities such as touring a water treatment plant, learning about their local watershed, and inviting women in the water sector to speak to the troop about their careers. More than 300 Girl Scouts have earned the patch to date.