The Tapwater Tour by LaMotte – Tapping into the Phenomena of Drinking Water

The Tapwater Tour digital curriculum makes the real-world connection between lesson phenomena and hands-on classroom activities that students experience while revealing the quality of their own tap water.

A two-part downloadable curriculum, the Tour can be adapted whether the students are in person or learning remotely. It is perfect for new teachers, those who don’t have a strong science background, or a valuable addition to a time-tested curriculum.

The Tapwater Tour is inclusive and can be adapted to suit student audience, grade levels and abilities. Activities combine written and visual instructions, vocabulary words and definitions improve literacy for ESL students, data sheets can be altered for reading level, hands-on testing provides an opportunity for students who learn better when they are active, and small groups encourage everyone to participate and help each other.

The Instructor section provides detailed information for preparing for the tour – including organizing the tour, shopping list of household items for the activities, answer keys for puzzles, and questions that start group discussions.

The Student section can be shared on an iPad, computer, or printed and handed out. Five units make up the Tour. This allows for flexibility in scheduling – an introduction to tap water, pH, chlorine, iron and copper, and hardness. Each unit begins with background material. Connections are made between the facts and the students world – why the properties of tap water are important and how they are evident in their daily lives.

The Tapwater Tour includes an Instructor Manual, Student Manual with data sheets and puzzles, classroom color chart, and tablet reagents and sample test bags for 50 students. Instructors provide common household items. The students supply the tap water samples.