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Classroom Resources

Des Moines Water Works believes education is the key to protecting our water resources now and in the future. A variety of resources are available for educators and individuals interested in our water supply and how to protect it.

Video Gallery
View DMWW's video gallery for water treatment and water quality videos.


Water Activities
These water activities are available to help educators with classroom instruction on the importance of water conservation and treatment.

WHO POLLUTED THE RIVER?
Class activity (K-3)

LIMITED WATER SUPPLY
Demonstration activity (2nd-6th grades)

SOFT OR HARD WATER?
Demonstration activity (3rd-8th grades)

WALK YOUR WATERSHED
Activity sheet (3rd-8th grades)

EXAMINING BACTERIA IN WATER
Class activity (5th-8th grades)

WATER JOURNEY THROUGH DES MOINES WATER WORKS ACTIVITY SHEETS
Student puzzle pages for discovering facts about the water treatment process at Des Moines Water Works (3rd-7th grades).


Water Websites
Informative websites that will help in furthering your knowledge of water related topics.

EPA: DRINKING WATER AND GROUND WATER KIDS’ STUFF
Information and hands-on activity ideas for a variety of water topics (K-12). 

USGS EDUCATION: LEARN ABOUT WATER
Facts about water in our world.

PROJECT WET
Information, online activities, quizzes, and action ideas on the water cycle, oceans, watersheds, fresh water, using water wisely and water and health.


Hot Topics
These water-related hot topics are available to inform and engage the students with environmental discussions.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INTERACTIVE WEB MODULES
Although these modules were created for education in Michigan, much of the information applies to any watershed.  The modules on watershed, water quality, drinking water and wastewater treatment, groundwater supply and contamination, stream monitoring, and aquatic ecosystems are especially relevant (high school)

These water-related hot topics are available to inform and engage the students with environmental discussions.

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION
Best Management Practices are activities that have a positive effect on keeping the environment clean and safe.

BOTTLED WATER – WHAT KIND OF WATER AM I BUYING?
In today’s marketplace, it seems like water products are available everywhere. But what do all those different kinds of water mean?

CLEAN WATER ACT
Water pollution became a big issue in the late 1960’s when thousands of dead fish were being found washed up on shores and some lakes even caught on fire. An effective means was needed to protect and clean the nation’s waters, so Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972.

GET THE WATER FACTS
Everyone needs water. Who, what, where, when, why and how is water so important to us.

GROUNDWATER
Contrary to popular belief, groundwater is not underground rivers. It is water between soil and rock particles in the ground, like water in a sponge.

HEALTHY WATERSHEDS
A watershed is an area of land that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river, or lake. The Des Moines area is in both the Raccoon and Des Moines River Watersheds. The water that drains off of the land eventually ends up in one of these rivers.

HAZMAT 101
If someone dumped a poisonous substance into a community’s water supply, it would be considered a serious crime and could even lead to a public emergency notification. Yet, when someone dumps a hazardous material like paint thinner down the drain, a can of oil on the ground, or an old battery in a ditch, the impact on our environment, particularly our water resources, could be just as disastrous. Yet, no news flashes are issued.

PARKING LOTS THAT PREVENT POLLUTION
Parking lots can be a source of pollution. Cars, with small oil leaks, sit in the parking lot all day. Once the car drives away there is a small shiny spots left on the pavement. Then the rain comes. The rain washes the parking lot clean, but where did the oil go?

PROTECT YOUR EARTH ABCS
Encourage your students to make a difference in their environment by taking action!

RAIN GARDENS
For many people, a beautiful garden is a source of great pleasure. Imagine a beautiful garden that can also help to protect our environment!

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Rainfall runoff management involves taking steps to prevent flooding, but also includes efforts to minimize pollutants entering storm sewers, streams, lakes and rivers.

TRACKING WATER QUALITY CLUES
What are some of the signs that a river or stream has poor quality water? People monitoring bodies of water look at a variety of factors that contribute to a stream’s health.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Water that goes down the drain, called waste water, is not the most pleasant topic to discuss, but most students are very curious about this water that goes down their sinks, showers, and toilet drains. What happens to it after it leaves our homes and businesses?

WATER POLLUTION: HOW DOES IT GET THERE?
Improper land and water use in urban and rural areas has led to a decline in the health of our watersheds and water quality.

WONDERING ABOUT WETLANDS
Wetlands are just that: “wet land.” The land is covered by shallow water during at least part of the year and is often located between dry land and deeper water like rivers, lakes and oceans.

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