K-7th Grade Sustainable Watershed Education Program

Upper Water partners with the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana to provide a free water conservation program with interactive workshops and curriculum for K-7th grade students in Upper Water’s service area. Discovery Science Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children, assisting teachers, and increasing public understanding of science, math, and technology through interactive exhibits and programs.
Program Elements:
Interactive Assemblies (K–5th Grade)
These 50-minute assemblies make water science engaging through videos, music, literature, and interactive technology that lets every student participate. Each grade receives a custom curriculum designed to match what they’re learning in school:
Kindergarten: Introduction to saving water and why it’s the most precious part of our Southern California ecosystem.
1st Grade: California’s unique landscape and a creative look at what life would be like without water.
2nd Grade: The water cycle, explored through storytelling, imagery, and video.
3rd Grade: How water is filtered through natural processes like evaporation and underground movement, paired with hands-on demonstrations.
4th Grade: Discovering our water sources, how to use water wisely, and why every drop matters.
5th Grade: Understanding watershed pollution, the impacts of urban runoff, and practical steps families can take to protect waterways.
Workshop-Style Programs (6th & 7th Grade)
These in-class workshops provide two one-hour sessions of hands-on science that encourage critical thinking and real-world application. Students gain a deeper understanding of water issues in the Upper San Gabriel Valley:
6th Grade: Students use professional lab kits to test water quality (dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and more), connect results to human impacts, and explore how pollution affects aquatic life. They also discuss everyday actions to conserve water and reduce runoff at home.
7th Grade: Builds on the 6th-grade program, but adapted to align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students examine local watershed issues with added focus on science-based problem solving.
Virtual Programs (K–7th Grade)
Schools can also choose a virtual option, delivered live through Microsoft Teams. This format mirrors the in-person experience with real-time interaction between students and educators, making water education accessible anywhere.