What is bringing together activist teens with such diverse interests as robotics, human rights, the environment, and global solutions? Water, the essence of life.
A number of individuals and groups, including the LOLHS FIRST Robotics team, better known as the Techno Ticks, Amnesty International, the Environmental Club, and the Hartford chapter of Engineers Without Borders, will join forces to raise awareness about the world’s water crisis and raise money to aid water projects in India and Africa. On Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School auditorium, they will present an exclusive screening of the award-winning documentary FLOW.
Bill Derry of LOLHS’s Technology Education Department said while he had not yet previewed the new documentary at the time of this writing, from his understanding, “it’s the Al Gore film [An Inconvenient Truth] but instead of talking about global warming we’re talking about water.” According to the film’s fact sheet, of the 6 billion people on earth, 1.1 billion do not have access to safe, clean drinking; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently does not regulate 51 known water contaminants; and while the average American uses 150 gallons of water per day, those in developing countries cannot find five.
“Our intent is to have an educational experience. We want students to understand that this is one producer’s view of the situation…this is not the only view of what’s going on. However, from what we understand, there is no doubt that there is a crisis,” says Derry.
“Whether a lot is caused by big business, which is one of the takes of this film, or whether more is caused by pollution or other global/environmental issues that are affecting the water supply…from our perspective it doesn’t matter who is at fault...We’re less about pointing fingers and more about awareness.”
LOLHS alumna Anna Smith will introduce the film and share information about past and present water-related projects involving Engineers Without Borders, a non-profit humanitarian organization that partners with developing communities worldwide to improve their quality of life.
Engineers Without Borders will benefit from the funds raised from the showing, “And ultimately folks around the world will benefit from the funds,” said Derry.
Smith, a geologist who has mentored students at the elementary, high school, and college levels, has found that math and science “is not explained as the cool thing to do. So, kids aren’t going into it.”
“I want to share with students the fact that you can be totally normal and have a career in math and science,” Smith says.
One of the goals of the event, explains Derry, is to inform the community “that we’ve got doers here, who are making a difference in the world.”
Tammy Noyes, one of the robotics team’s coaches, says the team is proud to claim Smith as one of its first alumna.
“She is making the world a better place for her having been in it,” says Noyes. “Anna graduated with a degree in geology, and while cleaning up the ground water around gas stations is her ‘day job,’ she volunteers for Engineers Without Borders on the side.”
The robotics team wanted to do something to support the chapter’s efforts.
“This is going to be bigger than any shortage of fossil fuels, as clean water is necessary for life itself,” says Noyes.
At the screening, Internet kiosks will be set up so that viewers can assemble, speak with Smith and student leaders, as well as sign an online petition to add a 31st article to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishing access to clean water as a fundamental human right, if they wish.
By Susan Cornell
Special to the Times
FLOW can be viewed on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School auditorium. Admission is $5; $2 for seniors and students. All are welcome. For additional information on the documentary, visit www.flowthefilm.com.