November 15, 2010
WaterAid provides free educational materials created by Michael DiSpezio

WaterAid today announced the release of free educational materials created by Michael DiSpezio, author and TV broadcaster.

The education materials are designed to complement teacher’s curriculums and offer fun, inquiry-based ways to raise students’ awareness about water, sanitation and hygiene issues around the world.

WaterAid is delighted to be collaborating with Michael DiSpezio who was called "one of the world's most entertaining science educators" by National Geographic. A former research biologist, DiSpezio has hosted over 30 live television broadcasts and has authored dozens of trade publications and coauthored numerous science textbooks.

“We are enormously grateful to Michael for volunteering his incredible skills and valuable time to helping us reach out to our children in the United States.  As future global citizens it is crucial that they develop a clear understanding of the critical importance of safe water, sanitation and handwashing for child survival throughout the world
David Winder, WaterAid's CEO in the US

The education materials for elementary school students cover a number of aspects of the global water and sanitation crisis in interesting and engaging ways including;

• Learning how water is stored underground and how it can be pumped to the surface;
• Drain a sink, water a lawn, flush a toilet – where does the water go next, follow the water cycle;
• See how germs are spread and learn how simple handwashing prevents this spread;
• Journey around the world and learn why water is such a precious resource;
• Learn more about the role of water in everyday life and;
• Get the low-down on toilets, why everyone needs them and why they are so important to healthy living.

““We are enormously grateful to Michael for volunteering his incredible skills and valuable time to helping us reach out to our children in the United States,” said Dr. David Winder, CEO of WaterAid in the US. “As future global citizens it is crucial that they develop a clear understanding of the critical importance of safe water, sanitation and handwashing for child survival throughout the world.”

Educating children about global water and sanitation issues is critically important given the scale of the challenges worldwide. Each day an estimated 4,000 children will die from causes associated with poor sanitation and water.

Diarrhea alone kills more children than HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria combined. According to new research published in the esteemed medical journal the Lancet this year, diarrhea is now the leading killer of children in Africa.

“As an educator and science writer, I'm honored to partner with WaterAid and assume a role in the construction of an effective and proactive understanding of global water and sanitation issues,” says Michael DiSpezio. “I believe that raising the human condition is a personal responsibility and I hope that this work helps teachers educate our children about these important issues.”

The education materials are available for free on WaterAid's  website at www.wateraidamerica.org/education
 
ENDS

• For media inquiries about these educational modules and to interview Michael DiSpezio, please contact Jonathan Rich on +1 347 262 9115 or contact him by email