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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Educational Resources

These activities and resources are a fun way to learn about the MWRD and how to protect the water environment. 

Activities

Where Does IT Go?

Where Does IT Go?
62-page booklet
English  •  Español  •  Polski  •  Chinese

“Where Does IT Go?” tells the story of three young water explorers who travel in a magical ship through Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) pipes, sewers and tanks that are used to clean dirty water.


Animated Video
English  •  Español  •  Polski  •  Chinese

The award-winning children’s animated feature is educational entertainment for students enrolled in grades four and up. It teaches viewers about the wastewater treatment process and introduces them to careers in the water sector.

Learn more about “Where Does IT Go?”
 

 

Word Find: Careers

Future Water Industry Professionals
dual-language activity sheet
English  •  Español

Have you ever considered a career in the water industry? The MWRD has over 250 different types of jobs. Find out what they are in this fun word search!

 

STEAM Activities: Work in Water as an Engineer

Work in Water as an Engineer
4-page activity sheet
English

Learn how MWRD engineers help design a stormwater playground in this fun STEAM activity sheet.

 

Save the Monarch Butterfly


Save the Monarch Butterfly
4-page activity sheet
English  •  Español

Learn facts about the monarch butterfly and find out how to save this beautiful insect.

 

STEAM Activity Worksheet: Collect Rainwater With a Rain Barrel


Collect Rainwater with a Rain Barrel
2-page activity sheet
English  •  Español  •  Polski  •  Chinese

Coloring sheet and puzzle activities that teach how rain barrels capture rainwater from your roof and save it for when you need it.

 

Multiplication Chart: 0–12

Multiplication Chart: 0 – 12
4-page activity sheet
English

Math can be fun, and multiplication plays a key role in many math equations and problem-solving. This multiplication table goes up to the 12s! Students in all grade levels may find this resource useful, but it is especially helpful for students in grades 2 – 4.

 

 

Multiplication Chart: 0–20


Multiplication Chart: 0 – 20
4-page activity sheet
English

Math can be fun, and multiplication plays a key role in many math equations and problem-solving. This multiplication table goes up to the 20s! Students in all grade levels may find this resource useful, but it is especially helpful for students in grades 4 – 8.

 

Flush with Care

Flush With Care Word Scramble
2-page activity sheet
English  •  Español

Learn more about what to flush and what not to flush!

 

What Happens When You Flush The Toilet?

What Happens When You Flush The Toilet?
2-page activity sheet
English  •  Español

See where the water goes and how it's treated after you flush.

 

Treatment Process Maze

Water Treatment Process Maze
dual-language activity sheet
English & Español

Send dirty water to be cleaned in this fun water treatment maze!

 

9 Tips to Protect our Waterways Flashcards

9 Tips to Protect our Waterways
9-page half-sheet flashcards
English

 

Periodic Table

Periodic Table of Elements
2-page activity sheet
English

From chemical reactions to filtration systems, the Periodic Table of Elements is the unsung hero behind every drop of clean water.

 


Coloring Activities

 

Color it Blue

Color It Blue
16-page coloring book

English  •  Español  •  Polski

  

Wastewater Cycle Coloring Page

Wastewater Treatment Cycle 
1-page coloring sheet

Small (8.5x11): English  •  Español
Large (11x17): English  •  Español


Additional Resources
 

CIS Chicago Logo

Communities In Schools of Chicago

MWRD is a proud partner with CIS of Chicago, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting high school graduation in the city. Through participation in community events, classroom presentations, and ongoing CIS training, the MWRD community education team is committed to inspiring Chicagoland students to reach for success.

If you are interested in the MWRD connecting with your students and community via our programming opportunities that promote protecting the water environment and introducing careers in water, please email public.affairs@mwrd.org.

Current Innovation NFP Logo

Current – River Lab

River Lab is a free STEM curriculum for high school students, developed by Current with support from the Walder Foundation. High school students will dive into this water-focused virtual field trip where they will be introduced to water quality parameters, discover the Chicago River, and explore real science data.

EPA Water Sense Logo

WaterSense Kids – US EPA

When it comes to saving water, everyone can help—and kids can make a big difference! Learn about water conservation for kids—and adults!—at WaterSense!

Where does your poop go?

Curious City: The complex journey of Chicago sewage beyond the toilet

A kid-friendly look at what happens after you flush the toilet in the Chicago area. Produced by Curious City, where WBEZ answers your questions about Chicago, the region and the people who live here.

 

How Chicago Reversed Its River: An Animated History from WTTW

See how Chicago defied the odds and pulled off one of the greatest engineering feats in U.S. history. In a herculean effort to save the city from the ravages of typhoid, cholera, and other waterborne illnesses, engineer Sylvester Chesbrough suggested Chicago reverse the direction of its river away from the lake and toward the Mississippi River.

 

a group of students on a tour of a large pump house

Community Education

Our knowledgeable staff is available to give presentations to all ages, and we welcome opportunities to share our enthusiasm at community outreach events!

Learn more about our speakers, event hosts and tours.