If a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, then that of a body of water begins in a single drop. Assume the life of a drop of water this Saturday at 1 p.m. to explore water’s
If a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, then that of a body of water begins in a single drop. Assume the life of a drop of water this Saturday at 1 p.m. to explore water’s pilgrimage through a maze at Kukui Grove Shopping Center. With the help of the Kaua‘i Children’s Discovery Museum and a few other inspired sponsors, the exhibit makes its only appearance on Kaua‘i, from Aug. 18 to Nov. 11. The 1,000-square-foot maze is surrounded by Wyland’s marine life murals.
This installation is interactive at every level. Begin the tour by spinning a wheel to discover which path your drop of water will take, then flow through a colorful underwater world of rivers, lakes, wetlands, bays, estuaries and eventually, the ocean. Each trip through the maze navigates a new learning experience; from how a drop of water is affected by litter, agriculture and development, to the promise of a healthier ocean when responsible choices are made.
Now that you’ve explored the physical nature of water, it’s time to don a lab coat for the science center. Conduct your own experiment on a water sample to learn more about where it’s been. Volunteers will be present to help you evaluate results and then help you analyze the details.
The next stop is a watershed demonstration where you’ll be able to take part in an enviroscape. “It’s a model of a landscape,” explained Mona Clark, executive director of KCDM, in a recent interview. Children are given squirt guns to spray on a mock pollutant (cocoa powder) that’s sprinkled on the enviroscape. This is one way to exemplify how pollutants travel with rain drops from the land into the earth and water sources.
Concluding the tour on an artistic note, children are invited to create a tile for a 16-inch by 28 inch community mosaic. “Hopefully there will be a couple mosaics that can be displayed at schools around the island,” said Clark.
When Clark began to pursue Wyland’s Clean Water Tour, she made a few inquiries and found that the local support flowed in. “People wanted to see something happen and that’s the beauty of it.”
All are invited to come walk the maze.
