ACWA Becomes Founding Partner in Science Education Center

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 28, 2013) -  The statewide Association of California Water Agencies has become a founding partner in a new science learning center that will educate Californians about water's vital role in shaping the state's past, present and future, ACWA announced this week.

The new Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento is expected to be a field trip destination for schoolchildren and a regional attraction for people of all ages, exposing hundreds of thousands of Californians each year to scientific information they can share with their local community.

Public and private donors are planning to build the $78 million facility at a site along the Sacramento River near the state Capitol and downtown Sacramento. When completed, the high-tech, hands-on science complex will become the new home of the 62-year-old Discovery Museum Science and Space Center.

ACWA and more than 50 other organizations across California have signed on to become founding partners in the Powerhouse. The association will serve on the center's advisory committee, giving input as galleries and exhibits are developed. In particular, ACWA will help plan the "Liquid Gold" water exhibit featuring interactive displays on urban and agricultural water use, infrastructure and conservation, environmental considerations and other water topics of statewide importance.

"ACWA is excited to partner in this educational venture focused on science and our natural resources, including water," ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn said. "Our public water agency members believe that education is key to sound public policy. We see this effort as another step in our ongoing commitment to educate the public about California's unique water story."

Millions of dollars already have been raised for the new center, which will include a new 150-seat planetarium, outdoor archeological dig, and labs and classrooms. The center's close proximity to the Sacramento River also will be utilized for educational opportunities. The California Department of Water Resources, City of Sacramento, and some ACWA member water agencies are among the public entities sponsoring the project.

"We are pleased and honored to welcome ACWA as a founding partner," said Michele Wong, President of the Powerhouse Science Center Board of Directors. "ACWA members share our goal of creating a cutting-edge science education center and destination visitor attraction. The Powerhouse Science Center is a landmark collaborative effort between many dedicated groups and individuals who are all playing a significant role in making this vision of a premier science education center become a reality. ACWA brings valuable ecological perspective to our effort."

ACWA has a long history of participating in educational initiatives that demonstrate the value of water in California. In recent years, the association has partnered with the Department of Water Resources on a successful public education campaign called Save Our Water, which shows how Californians can conserve water indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. ACWA also sponsored the popular California's Water public television series, which took viewers on an educational journey through California water.

"California's water story is unique and must be told from a statewide perspective. Our partnership with Powerhouse Science Center will help make that possible," said Jennifer Persike, ACWA deputy executive director for external affairs and operations.

For more information on the Powerhouse Science Center, visit www.powerhousesciencecenter.org, or email info@PowerhouseScienceCenter.org.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.