Teacher Resources
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) believes in the value of education and in the value of water. Please see the below items for recommended Teacher Resources.
Materials for Classroom Use:
Upon request, GCWW will provide a sample copy of the below materials for classroom use. Email help@mygcww.org, with the requested material name(s), your name, address, phone number and desired quantity. Availability of the activity books will be limited to one (1) per classroom.
GCWW Water Quality Report
The GCWW Water Quality Report, published annually, answers questions like: Where does my water come from? How is it treated? What is the quality of our water?
Link: GCWW Water Quality Report
GCWW Water Treatment
Water Treatment contains step-by-step information on the Greater Cincinnati Water Works water treatment process. This includes both Richard Miller Treatment Plant and Charles M. Bolton plant, along with a brief history of each.
Link: GCWW Water Treatment Brochure
Water Wonderful (An Activity Book for Grades K-3)
Water Wonderful is a colorfully illustrated, 16-page book with games and puzzles to help young students learn about drinking water and the water cycle.
Link: Water Wonderful
The Story of Drinking Water, Fifth Edition (An Activity Book for Grades 4-6)
The Story of Drinking Water is a fun, colorful 24-page book that tells the fascinating story of water and water treatment. It covers items including the earliest methods of treating water over 1,500 years ago, the water cycle and fun facts. Recommended by the National Science Teachers Association.
Link: The Story Of Drinking Water
Drinking Water Activities for Students, Teachers, and Parents:
- Imagine a Day Without Water: In October of each year, Imagine a Day Without Water raises awareness about the value of water. The event usually includes art contests and essay contests.
- Drinking Water Week (AWWA): In the first full week of May each year, AWWA, water professionals, and the communities they serve participate in Drinking Water Week to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.
- Classroom Lessons for Elementary and High School Students (AWWA): PowerPoint Presentations, Lesson Plans, Participant Handouts, Quiz and Answer Keys
- Drinking Water Activities for Students & Teachers (EPA): Activities, lesson plans, and teacher guides
- Additional Information is available from the EPA including:
Learning and Teaching about the Environment: Homework help, awards and activities, classroom resources and project ideas, grants, etc.
Drinking Water Activities for Students, Teachers, and Parents, Document No. EPA-810-B-99-002
School Tour Request
Teachers, you can schedule a tour for your class. Tours are scheduled Monday thru Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm. Tours last about 2 hours. Bus parking is available on site . We do not have access to public transportation. This is a walking tour and most parts are not accessible. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
The Water Works Museum and Treatment Process Tour
- Learn how water from the Ohio River is treated to produce safe drinking water.
- See many of GCWW’s treatment processes used to clean the water including sand filtration, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Ultraviolet Disinfection (UV).
- Gather an understanding of the testing and state of the art laboratory facilities to ensure the safety of the water.
- Learn how water is delivered to the people of the region.
Come visit our Augmented Reality (AR) Sandbox! Looking for a way to illustrate the water cycle, watersheds, a real-life application of kinetic and potential energy, topography and contours, or the importance of Source Water Protection? Schedule a tour or reach out to us today to set up a time for your group to experience the AR Sandbox firsthand.
More information about the AR Sandbox.
Additional Informational Links
- Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO): River Sweep, River Facts, source water protection
- Foundation for Ohio River Education (FORE): education programs for students, teachers, and the public, river water quality app
- Ground Water Consortium for the Great Miami Aquifer, Southwestern Ohio: public education information
- Water Science School (USGS): Learning activities by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) providing information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.
- DrinkTap.org (AWWA): Information including a “Kid’s Place” for videos and activities
- The Value of Water (AWWA): Information including infographics and a free printable children’s board game, “Pipe Up!”.
- US Department of Health and Human Services: search on drinking water or fluoride
- Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) & Healthy Water, Healthy People (OEPA): K-12 interdisciplinary program focused on water education
- Office of Environmental Education (OEPA): Administers the Ohio Environmental Education Fund; Ohio Environmental Science and Engineering Scholarships; publications and resources for environmental educators and teachers; workshops on water quality monitoring methods and grant writing; and statewide coordination of the Project WET (Water Education Today) and Healthy Water, Healthy People curricula for elementary, middle, and high schools.
- YouTube Channels/Playlists: