Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands (June 24, 2025) – After engaging with middle school STEM students last week and STEM high school students just yesterday, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (“WAPA” or “the Authority”) continued its educational outreach — this time connecting with an even younger audience by visiting primary students at the St. Croix Montessori School summer camp to teach them the sources of their electricity and water.

Shanell Petersen, Corporate Communications Director, WAPA, introduces primary students to how sunshine is turned into electricity and how reverse osmosis helps create safe water.

The visit offered a fun and interactive experience, helping young students understand how use of electricity and access to clean water is made possible. With bright curiosity and big smiles, the children learned that approximately 51% of St. Croix’s electricity now comes from three solar farms through partnerships with VIElectron, VIRAPC, and others.

The students were also introduced to the process of turning seawater into safe drinking water through reverse osmosis by long-term partner, Seven Seas Water Group. The students enthusiastically chanted “reverse osmosis!” as they discovered how the ocean becomes an important source of safe water for the community.

As part of the visit, WAPA hosted a read-along activity that explored where water comes from in other places in the world and why it’s important to protect our natural resources. The students eagerly participated in discussions about water conservation and shared ideas on how they can help at home.

“Today, we had the special opportunity to reach the little ones,” said WAPA Corporate Communications Director, Shanell Petersen. “It’s never too early to start building awareness about how electricity and water reach our homes—and why protecting these resources matters for generations to come.”

WAPA’s recent student outreach events reflect its ongoing mission to engage the youngest community members, promote environmental responsibility, and inspire future generations to appreciate and protect essential resources.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Communication’s department is committed to reaching, informing, and connecting with the youngest members of the community to the eldest, through meaningful, transparent and effective communication.

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