This year please consider financially supporting two WEF programs that engage young people in water science and occupations – the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the InFLOW program.
It is critically important that we expose more young people to careers in the water sector, particularly as a large portion of the current workforce is eligible to retire and diversity needs to be dramatically increased to better reflect the communities we serve. This year please consider supporting two WEF programs that engage young people in water science and occupations – the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the InFLOW program.
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is a competition for high school students and is considered the most prestigious award for water-related science at the high school level, both nationally and internationally. The prize encourages enthusiasm in today’s youth regarding water issues, builds an international community of young scientists bonded together for the water environment, raises public awareness about the future of water resources, and develops future leadership by attracting the best and brightest young people into the field.
Donations will be used to directly support the U.S. SJWP National competition and/or the travel of students from the U.S. to the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden.
InFLOW (Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water) is a program to enhance diversity and inclusion in the water workforce. This scholarship opportunity engages up to 55 participants annually in WEF programs and events to: solidify their interest in working in the water sector; and increase probabilities for employment and long-term success working in water.
WEF InFLOW consists of two tracks:
- STEM Path identifies scholars enrolled in undergraduate/graduate degree programs from historically underrepresented ethnic and racial groups.
- CareerTech partners with community based organizations to expose scholars in job readiness programs to the variety of rewarding career possibilities in water quality.
Donations will be used to directly support the WEF InFLOW program activities and travel assistance.
By investing in these young people today we are investing in the water leaders of tomorrow.
Brad Lovett is a Manager of Association Engagement at the Water Environment Federation, and also runs WEF student programs, including the US Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.
Brianne Nakamura is a former practice leader of innovation in the Water Environment Federation’s Water Science and Engineering Center.