The University of the Virgin Islands, through the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, recently hosted a Water Heroes Curriculum Workshop, bringing together nine educators from St. Thomas–St. John District to strengthen water quality education in classrooms.
The workshop was designed to provide educators with the tools and resources needed to confidently lead and implement the Water Heroes Curriculum—an interactive, STEM-based program developed in 2018 following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The initiative emphasizes the importance of water quality awareness and empowers students to better understand and advocate for safe, accessible water in their communities.
For the past seven years, VIMAS and its partners have delivered in-class presentations and hands-on learning experiences through the Water Heroes program. This workshop marked an important step toward expanding the program’s impact by preparing educators to independently facilitate lessons tailored to their classroom needs and schedules.
Participants engaged in collaborative, hands-on activities that encouraged personal reflection on water usage and quality, while exploring practical ways to integrate the curriculum into existing science instruction.
“I plan to add some of the hands-on activities into my arsenal of experiments with my primary-level science students,” said Jacqueline Francis of Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School and Yasmine Salem-Jubran of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Other educators reflected on the workshop’s impact on their own awareness.
“We hadn’t realized that our daily average water consumption was so high—about 100 gallons per day between the two of us. It was an enlightening activity that will encourage changes to our daily routines,” shared Aquellah Cantois of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and Joshuanette Rhasba-Carbon of Julius E. Sprauve School.
Educators also expressed plans to incorporate the curriculum through inquiry-based learning and student-led exploration.
“We envision assimilating the curriculum as a science experiment. Students will conduct pH testing, analyze results, and present solutions as our territory’s new Water Heroes,” said Amber McCammon of the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum and Edmund Kale of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School.
The workshop also sparked deeper reflection on broader water access challenges.
“Are we, as humanity, doing enough to make safe drinking water accessible to everyone? Who is accountable, and how can we amplify education on solutions?” participants asked during closing discussions.
Program leaders emphasized the long-term vision of Water Heroes in fostering early interest in STEM and environmental stewardship.
“The Water Heroes Program began nearly eight years ago, inspired by science fair projects I conducted as a student at Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School,” said Howard Forbes Jr., territorial coordinator of VIMAS. “Today, it empowers educators to deliver water science lessons that are both engaging and meaningful. By encouraging hands-on learning early, we aim to spark curiosity and sustain student interest in STEM fields.”
Eurnett Christopher, Navigating Home workforce fellow and VIMAS Education and Outreach Assistant, highlighted the importance of continued engagement.
“It was encouraging to see educators eager to incorporate Water Heroes into their lessons,” said Christopher. “Students should be curious about where their water comes from, both at school and at home. These lessons help cultivate a generation that will advocate for water quality and accessibility in their communities.”
The workshop was supported by the Water Resources Research Institute and the Virgin Islands Conservation Society, whose partnership has been instrumental in advancing water education initiatives across the territory.
UVI and VIMAS plan to continue expanding the Water Heroes program through educator training, classroom integration, and community engagement efforts throughout the territory.
