Water Education

Classroom Programs Overview
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Discover basic water concepts. All classes cover grade appropriate and NGSS-compliant information on water sources, treating water for health and safety, and source protection and conservation.

About Classroom Programs

• Programs are available for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes.
  • 3rd Grade: Properties of water
  • 4th Grade: California water history
  • 5th Grade: Water cycle and drinking water treatment
• Programs are 90 minutes in length.
• Programs are offered on a first come, first served basis. 
• Programs are offered in person; a limited number of virtual programs are available upon request.

How to Sign Up

1. Verify your school's eligibility – programs are available free of charge for schools in our service area.
2. Talk to other teachers at your school who may also be interested to coordinate sign ups to expedite the scheduling process.
3. Fill out and submit the Classroom Program Sign Up Form.

Los Vaqueros Field Trips Overview

Visit Los Vaqueros Watershed in Brentwood for a day of exploration. Learn about water source geography, the community’s water supply, watershed protection, habitats, biodiversity, local history and Native American culture. Includes encounters with local animal species and hands-on activities.

About Los Vaqueros Field Trips

• Field trips are available for 3rd and 4th grade classes.
• Field trips are 4.5 hours in length on one day: 
  • Nature Hike
  • Watershed Experience
  • Cultural/Historical Experience
• Field trips are offered on a first come, first served basis. 
• This field trip is designed for 1 class per session.
• A limited number of 60-minute virtual programs are available upon request.
• Programs are administered by the Gardens at Heather Farm on behalf of Contra Costa Water District (CCWD).
• This field trip is eligible for the standard bus reimbursement of up to $350. Plus, we have a new pilot scholarship program for the 2023-24 school year.

How to Sign Up

1. Verify your school's eligibility – programs are available free of charge for schools in our service area.
2. Talk to other teachers at your school who may also be interested to coordinate sign ups to expedite the scheduling process.
3. Review bus reimbursement information.
4. Fill out and submit the Los Vaqueros Field Trip Sign Up Form.

Water Treatment Plant Tour Field Trips Overview

Tour our water treatment plant in Concord. Learn about the different materials and organisms that occur in untreated water and how water is treated to become fit to drink. Follow the steps through the treatment plant and learn about the pipeline system that delivers water throughout the community. Recommended in conjunction with the classroom presentation.

About Water Treatment Plant Tour Field Trips

• Field trips are available for 5th grade classes and a limited number of 6th grade classes at K–6 schools.
• Field trips are about 90 minutes in length.
• Field trips are offered on a first come, first served basis. 
• This field trip is designed for 1 class per session.
• Field trips are offered in person; a limited number of virtual programs are available upon request.
• Field trips are administered by the Gardens at Heather Farm on behalf of Contra Costa Water District (CCWD).
• This field trip is eligible for the standard bus reimbursement of up to $350.

How to Sign Up

1. Verify your school's eligibility – programs are available free of charge for schools in our service area.
2. Talk to other teachers at your school who may also be interested to coordinate sign ups to expedite the scheduling process.
3. Review bus reimbursement information.
4. Fill out the Water Treatment Plant Tour Sign Up Form.

Water Theater

Request a Water Theater Assembly from Rock Steady Juggling

Exciting, interactive theater program that delivers important messages from exploring the local water system, to conservation and sustainability, to environmental connectivity. Students and teachers interact with the performers as music, singing, storytelling and comedy bring the message to life. Great for elementary and middle schools. 45 minutes.

Additional Water Education Programs

Learn more about the following programs:

• Water Education Training for Teachers – Project WET
• Delta Discovery Voyage – 5th Grade
  • Sign ups are available via the Marine Science Institute starting in October, with programs available in January and February.