Advanced Down the Drain Lab
Grades: 8-12 |
Duration: 90 minutes |
Available Times: 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on school field trip operating days *Start and end times may be flexible. Please speak to the Group Reservations specialist when booking. |
Concepts/Skills: Negotiating trade offs, criteria, constraints, environmental impact, problem solving, engineering design process |
Students will become civil engineers and environmental technicians working to protect our waterways by designing different types of storm drain grates to keep trash out of the Bay’s watershed. Students discover how water systems function and how to use science and their own ideas to protect Earth’s natural resources.
Lab Guide Coming soon
Design a robust learning experience by selecting resources from this guide that fit the needs of your students. Reinforce learning before, after and even during your visit by diving deeper into some of the science and engineering concepts.
Lab Related Activities
Lessons marked with an orange gear icon address engineering within the Next Generation Science Standards.
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Career Exploration Mosaic
Grades 6-12
Students will create a mosaic that represents their current selves and future career aspirations, then explore careers and opportunities that align with their interests and goals.
Lesson: 75 minutes
![](/media/eced04ae/sustainablecareers.png)
Careers in Sustainability
Grades 4-12
Review these career profiles to get a snapshot of the variety of professions that support environmental issues.
Activity: 15+ minutes
New!
![](/media/bnqi1xq3/planetprotector.png)
Planet Protectors
Grades 3-12
Students work together to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) which educates others about protecting our planet.
Lesson: 120 minutes
![](/media/5n1luejo/connectingwithclimate.png)
Connecting with Climate
Grades 6-12
Explore how to problem-solve when approaching large-scale, multidimensional issues like climate change.
Lesson: 90 minutes
![](/media/peaj1efz/irrigationsituation.png)
Irrigation Situation
Grades 3-5
Use the design process to create a hillside garden irrigation system that maximizes water efficiency.
Lesson: 90 minutes
Unit: 150 minutes
![](/media/2zqfyig4/dtd-relatedlessonsicons-02.png)
Drain or Dispose?
Grades 3-12
Review these tips for what can and cannot go down the drain. Play a quick game: Pick something on the list. Should you drain or dispose?
Activity: 15+ minutes
Down the Drain Lab
Exhibit Connections
Make connections between learning from the lab and the exhibits and programs found in The Tech Interactive’s galleries. For more exhibit connections, see the Lab Guide above.