Explorer West Middle School raises $280 for safe water

Ben Wheeler’s 8th grade global studies class did more than eat turkey and watch football over Thanksgiving. They were also given the assignment to perform chores around the house and in the community.

Then the students donated their earnings to Water 1st. Marla Smith-Nilson visited Explorer West in January to talk to the students about the global water crisis and also receive a check for $280. To learn more about water issues worldwide, each 8th grader researched and wrote a 2-page article on a topic of their choice, ranging from water pollution to ocean currents to desalinization.

The articles were combined into one magazine, or “zine” entitled Got Water? Ben Wheeler also generously made this curriculum available to Water 1st.