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.
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.
