Are you a teacher from North Thurston, Olympia or Tumwater school districts? We have a unique partnership in place with these districts to provide WET Center field trips for specific grade level science classes. Seventh- and eighth-grade science classes from North Thurston Public Schools, sixth-grade science classes in Olympia School District and fifth-grade classes in Tumwater School District visit the WET Science Center each year.
Each partner school district selects which grade level to send to LOTT based on their science curriculum. LOTT works with the district to develop a customized field trip to support Next Generation Science Standards and district-specific activities and learning requirements. Field trips are two hours long and focus on wastewater treatment, systems, ecosystems or the water-energy connection. LOTT pays for bus transportation and substitute teacher costs for these partner school districts. LOTT shares important educational messages supporting its mission, while helping the school districts meet their students’ learning requirements in science.
LOTT’s Budd Inlet Treatment Plant has cleaned our urban wastewater since the early 1950s and now offers the highest level of treatment on Puget Sound. Learn how we do it, including how we produce and use reclaimed water. Students will explore natural and human-made systems, including the urban water cycle. An introduction to ecosystems provides the framework for understanding the importance of wastewater treatment. A tour of the wastewater treatment plant, a lab activity and an opportunity to engage with the interactive exhibits follow the presentation.
This program supports NGSS learning standards MS/5-LS2-1: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics.
LOTT’s Budd Inlet Treatment Plant has cleaned our urban wastewater since the early 1950s and now offers the highest level of treatment on Puget Sound. Learn how we do it, including how we produce and use reclaimed water. Through water quality testing and during the tour, students will examine the sources and impact of excess nutrients in the urban water cycle and the role of microbes in the wastewater treatment process.
This program supports NGSS learning standards MS-PS1-1: Structures and Properties of Matter. MS-LS2-5: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics.
There are many links between energy use and water use that aren’t so obvious. Students will examine water footprints and the many ways we use energy and water every day. Students will explore water footprints, climate change, green building and green jobs of the future. A tour of our LEED Platinum-rated building follows the presentation.
This program supports NGSS learning standards MS-ESS3-3: Apply Scientific Principles to Design a Method for Monitoring and Minimizing Human Impact on the Environment. ESS3-5-3: Human Activities and Global Climate Change.
If your field trip includes a tour of the wastewater treatment plant, your students must wear closed-toe, closed-heel shoes (no flip flops, crocs, slides or sandals).
Field trips with tours mean participants will be outdoors much of the time. Be prepared for rain and dress for the temperature.
Our 2-hour, half-day field trip programs can accommodate a maximum of 35 students.
For a class of 35, a minimum of two adults (teachers, school staff or adult chaperones) must accompany the group. Chaperones will be expected to join the wastewater or building tour, stay with their designated group and help manage students' behavior.
The walking tour of the wastewater treatment plant requires students to walk several city blocks of distance and go up and down stairs. Some accommodations are available by request.
Students will work with a student notebook during the program, and teachers will receive student materials and 5-minute shower timers for students at the end of the program.
Have a class that is not part of the partner school program? Other grade levels, schools and districts are welcome to visit and learn at the WET Science Center as scheduling allows. High school groups will be provided with a presentation and tour.
We welcome homeschool groups. All participants must be age 10 or older and have adult supervision. We require a minimum of 10 students to schedule a field trip program. Specific field trip days may be available during the school year for individual homeschool families.
