“For many of us, clean water is so plentiful and readily available that we rarely, if ever, pause to consider what life would be like without it.”
~ chef Marcus Samuelsson
Clean Water Science for preschool, kindergarten, K-2nd grade:
Waterworks, Plastic Pollution & Oil Spills
My kids have the privilege of taking clean water for granted. It magically comes out of the faucet on command, and the dirty water magically disappears down the drain. But there’s a lot of science and engineering behind all of it!
Not to mention the extra scientific challenge of cleaning up plastic litter and oil spills….
I’ve rounded up for you my favorite STEM books, videos, and activities all about clean water. Perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, 1st and 2nd graders, at home or in the classroom!
(Just a reminder - I am never paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)
Clean Water STEM Videos
from SciShow Kids
I love when I learn something from a kid’s science video that I didn’t know before. This video taught me how wells get water!
from ScienceMax
It’s pretty mesmerizing to watch gravel, sand, and charcoal can turn completely dirty water actually drinkable water! (For the teachers, this video aligns with K-ESS3-3.)
from Kids News Break
Cleaning muddy water is one thing, but cleaning an oil spill is much more complicated. These kids explain how common oil spills are, and how they affect animals and our drinking water. (For the teachers, this video aligns with K-ESS3-3.)
Clean Water STEM Books
written by Michelle Lord, illustrated by Julia Blattman
“This is the mess that we made. These are the fish that swim in the mess that we made…. But we are the ones who can save the day, reduce the waste at work and at play." The gentle rhymes help even a preschooler understand how we are connected to pollution floating in the ocean far, far away. And it ends on a hopeful note, giving simple ideas to save water and eat sustainable seafood.(For teachers, this book aligns with K-ESS3-3.)
written by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by Shonto Begay
This is a true story about how water is distributed monthly by truck on a Navajo reservation. It can really kick off a valuable conversation about engineering solutions to water access, as well as creative solutions to reuse water for conservation. “While almost every other American will use around 100 gallons of water today, many on the Navajo reservation will use only 7.” (For teachers, this book aligns with K-ESS3-3.)
written by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen
On this field trip, the kids go down the drain all the way to the waterworks! This book is dense with fun and science, including the water cycle, and the different stages of water filtration. And fun fact, this was also the first book that kicked off the longrunning beloved series.
Clean Water STEM Activities
Ocean Oil Spill Activity from One Time Through
My kids love a sensory bin, and this is basically a sensory bin turned into a science activity! Add a little oil to a bowl of water, and then challenge your kids to try to get the oil back out. They’ll learn pretty quickly how challenging it is to clean a real oil spill. This activity is best for kids who won’t be tempted to splash that oily water around too much!
Learn to Keep Storm Drains Clear from SciShow Kids
Learn real practical tips to help keep storm drains in your neighborhood clear of litter, so they don’t end up in rivers, lakes, or the ocean! (Teachers, this one aligns with K-ESS3-3.)
From OwlKids
With just some cotton balls, sand, and pebbles you can make muddy water visibly cleaner! This is a cool activity, but it definitely needs a grown-up to help.
Believe it or not, I’m not done talking about water yet! I’ll be back in your inbox next month with the physics of why things sink or float.
Until next time, have fun lighting sparks of curiosity,
Amy Wung Tsao
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