The City of Bellingham Public Works Department offers a watershed/water treatment and wastewater treatment experience to fifth grade classes. The goal of this program is to show students the complete water system so they have a better understanding of the important connections between these elements and themselves. If you have a combination 4/5 class, going every other year should enable us to reach all of the students without duplicating trips. Below you will find a description of each part of the Fifth Grade Water Tour experience.
The pre-trip classroom visit introduces students to watersheds, the water cycle and Lake Whatcom as our drinking water source. During the one hour presentation students will make paper watershed models as well as a water cycle hexaflexagon. The Sharing Our Watershed Journal is presented to each student during the pre-trip lesson. All handouts and video worksheets students will need to complete the Watershed Education Project are included.
The Water Treatment Plant 5th Grade Program begins with a
pre-trip video "The Water Works" and classroom activities to introduce
students to the concepts of watersheds and water treatment. Students begin
the field trip with a pH activity at the plant, a tour of the water
treatment plant, followed by lunch in Whatcom Falls Park. After lunch
students participate in an "each pair,
teach
a pair" activity focusing on watershed concepts as they walk to Bloedel
Donovan Park where they can really see and experience the Lake Whatcom
Watershed.
Tours of the water treatment plant are also provided free of charge to interested groups on a request basis.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant 5th Grade Program begins with a
pre-trip video "Down the Drain" and classroom activities to introduce the
concept of wastewater treatment. The 2 hour program begins with a guided
tour of the facility where students receive an overview of the process to
clean the wastewater so it can be discharged to Bellingham Bay with 94 to
95% of the contaminants removed. The students then
make their own "pollution soup" and try to clean it using various
household utensils. They quickly learn that once water is dirty it is no
easy task to clean it. They also visit the laboratory where they meet the
real critters (micro organism food chain) that are used to help clean the
wastewater.
Tours of the Post Point Pollution Control Plant are provided free of charge to groups on a request basis.
To sign your class up for the 5th Grade Water Education Program you will need to select a date and time for the In Class Pre-Trip Lesson and Water Treatment / Wastewater Plant Components. The following schedules show available times:
Then submit your request for registration using the following form:
