„Blue School – Water for the Future“ is a long-term Water Educational program sponsored by Bratislava Water Company, joint-stock company  (BVS) and conducted by Young Scientists of Slovakia, a civic association. The program is primarily aimed at systematically developing a positive attitude of young people towards to potable water as a type of product the value of which is just like the value of any other product necessary for human life.

The program has been prepared in such a manner as to allow for the development of children’s and young people’s knowledge of drinking water through appropriate forms and methods of experience‑based instruction – the production and distribution of water, the discharge and treatment of wastewater, but also about the importance and the irreplaceable role of water in nature. To achieve a successful implementation of the program and to ensure that only highly professional methods of work are applied, we cooperate with school educators and school facilities personnel who have been made familiar with our objective to foster the interest of children and young people in the program’s goals.

Blue School Program’s Main Goals and Objectives:

Form attitudes, deepen and broaden children’s and young people’s knowledge and skills associated with drinking water (the pre-treatment of raw water, the transportation and distribution of potable water) and various aspects of its utilization (drinking, washing, cleaning, cooking, hygiene, and more);
Broaden children’s and young people’s knowledge of wastewater (how the wastewater originates, methods by which it is treated (cleaned) before it returns to natural watercourses);
Broaden children’s and young people’s knowledge of the protection of water sources, the protection of the environment, water-drinking regimen etc.;
Attract the attention of young people to professional activities conducted by BVS;
Systematically hunt for gifted and talented pupils and students, and enhance their interest in professional careers in the water treatment industry.

How the Program is Realised

The program consists of a series of different types of activities focused on the topics of drinking water, its production, distributions, and the discharge and treatment of wastewater. These activities should lead to education, the development of proper habits and skills, changes in value orientation and cooperation among schools, general public and the water works company. Particular activities are tailored to specific target groups and are conducted as part of the learning-teaching process in schools or in the form of informal educational activities (field days, naturalists' field clubs, and study groups). The goal followed by the educational portion of the program is to foster children's and young people’s awareness of the importance and the irreplaceable role of water in everyday life. Pupils are expected to primarily acquire knowledge of environmental education and training with particular emphasis laid on drinking water and wastewater treatment. BVS has prepared an opportunity for the participating schools to attend field trips to selected locations such as water sources, water treatment plants, drinking water reservoirs, wastewater treatment plants, and to Waterworks Museum.

Why Water Education?

Water is an irreplaceable asset to mankind, and should be handled accordingly. What is the extent to which we are aware of its irreplaceability, and how much do we actually know about water? It seems that water has a very inadequate ranking in the list of top-rated values people hold. There is lack of information on the significance of drinking water and its importance for human health, and, moreover, the information is often misleading. Water drinking regimen in children and young people is rarely observed.