Toilet and Non-Toilet Paper

Phenomenon & Guiding Question

Our dirty water goes down the drain. What happens to our dirty water after it goes down the drain?

What Students Will Do

Students will make their own simulated toilets using simple containers with water-tight lids. Students will “flush” different kinds of paper and closely observe and sketch how they behave underwater. Students will then formulate ideas about how these different kinds of paper might behave in our pipes and throughout our wastewater system.

What Students Will Figure Out

• That different forms of matter (stuff) behave differently when submerged underwater.
• That some stuff is designed to go down our pipes and other stuff might not be.
• That close observation of wastewater can be interesting and beautiful!

Grade Level

Designed for 2nd Grade students. Compelling enough for all grades!

Want To Learn More?

Please contact Ben Lavender at blavender@centralsan.org or (925) 335-7723 to bring this exciting program to your classroom!