Freewaters, makers of casual shoes and sandals, has partnered with Therm-a-Rest and Cascade Designs to provide hands-on, real-world lessons on water science and purification for high school students in Ventura County, CA starting this spring.


 

Sales of Freewaters sandal and shoe styles featuring Therm-a-Rest footbeds are helping to fund this pilot educational project. Volunteers will visit classrooms and teach kids how to use the Cascade Designs SE200 Smart Electrochlorinator water purifier for emergencies and disaster relief, providing practical lessons on water purification and health as part of a broader science and engineering curriculum. 

 

 

“Freewaters is founded on the passionate belief that all people deserve access to fresh, clean water and we are vigilant in nurturing this cause,” said Freewaters Co-founder Eli Marmar. “We understand the importance of education in achieving this goal, which is why we’re incredibly excited to be a part of the pilot program with Cascade Designs-educating youth who will be the next generation of activists, scientists and global citizens.”
 

The program has high hopes of success. Ultimately, the curriculum will integrate with the Department of Homeland Security, Cascade Designs Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, the Naval Base Ventura County,  Oxnard Union High School District and California State University of Channel Islands-all organizations that are a leaders in education and water treatment and disaster preparedness solutions.  With the success of this pilot, the program has the potential to be replicated in many school districts around the country.


“We are excited to be a part of this creative partnership with Freewaters,” said Doug Jacot, vice president of Therm-a-Rest. “It is an honor to collaborate on a program for high school students that brings practical science and business into the classroom, connecting students to careers in their communities. Ventura County educators are proving to be trailblazers in bringing STEM education to a higher level.”