Brainwave Learning Program
Brainwave Learning Program
The SA Water Brainwave Learning Program is a series of free events and learning resources. It supports the Australian Curriculum in three main areas: geography, science, and sustainability.
Curriculum areas
Geography
This part of the program covers:
- the economic value of water
- the nature of water scarcity
- ways of overcoming water scarcity
- the way water connects and effects the environment
- the quantity Australia's water resources and how they vary
- comparison of water resources in Australia and on other continents.
Science
This part of the program covers:
- the importance of water as a resource
- how water cycles through the environment
- the renewable nature of natural resources
- the non-renewable nature of some natural resources
- how science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a range issues
- mixtures: Water and sewage contain substances that can be separated using a range of techniques.
Sustainability
This part of the program covers:
- how individual and community action contributes to the sustainability of systems. These include ecological, social and economic systems
- how sustainable futures are created by preserving and/or restoring environments.
Tours, workshops and shows
Our workshops are primarily targeted at years five to seven. However, the Kauwi Interpretive Trail and our Living Loans program are valuable for all ages.
Reimbursement of bus hire is offered to regional and disadvantaged schools. For details, please contact us via the number listed at the bottom of this page.
Living Loans Incursion Program
Borrow an SA Water staff member for your class and discover a wealth of knowledge about water and wastewater treatment, desalination, water cycle and conservation, and the River Murray and salinity issues.
Where? We come to your school
How long? 1 hour session
Who? See below for year level suitability by subject
Conditions: We can present up to a maximum of 3 classes in the one session (dependent on age of students, topic chosen and size of your room). We will contact you when we receive your booking to discuss the details.
This program is suitable for Foundation to Year 7.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Cycle & Conservation | A discussion around where water is found in the world, why it is precious and ways to conserve it. Includes an interactive water cycle activity, power point, demonstration of how much fresh water is in the world and an optional reading of Captain Plop's Water-Saving Mission. This session requires a large space for students to act out the water cycle. Please ensure you have a hall or large activity room for groups of 2-3 classes Suitable for Foundation - Year 3 |
| Water Treatment | A presentation including images of a real treatment plant and a live simulation of the process of treating water to drinking quality. Covers why water treatment is important and the step-by-step process of treatment. If a treatment plant tour is not an option for your class, this program is the next best thing! Suitable for Years 1-7 |
| Wastewater Treatment & Recycling | Makes use of the picture book Captain Plop and the tour de recycle to discuss the process of treating wastewater. Includes some live science demonstrations to explain the process of screening, sedimentation, aeration, clarification, digestion and disinfection. Covers the additional process of wastewater recycling. Suitable for Years 1-7 |
| Desalination | Uses Captain Plop: the desalination adventure to explain the process of desalination. Students dress as characters from the book and act out the story. Suitable for Foundation - Year 2 |
| River Murray and Salinity | Discuss the effects of salinity, drought and flood on the Murray River system, and the communities and environment surrounding the River. Includes images of the River system in drought and a discussion and video of the fishways which allow fish to navigate through the locks and weirs. Suitable for Years 5-12 |
Water Treatment: Follow that Drop!
Join That Science Gang for the story of a drop of water's journey to your tap. Classes can tour a water treatment plant and/or participate in hands-on workshops.
Options:
- full day excursion (tour a reservoir and treatment plant, and take a workshop)
- take a workshop
- take a tour.
Where? Tours are at Happy Valley Reservoir and Treatment Plant; workshops are at SA Water House, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide.
How long? Tours are one hour, workshops are 1.5 hours. For a combined workshop/tour option please allow four hours (including travel time between venues).
Who? Targeted at years five to seven.
Slippery Stuff: Incursion science show
When pure, water is tasteless, odourless, and just a little bit blue. But, most commonly, it is found on planet Earth as a mixture. As you slip and slide through this slippery and spectacular show, you'll discover how SA Water scientists transform these mixtures to create drinking water and clean up our waste.
Venues At your school (see dates below for regions available)
Duration 1 hour
Audience Targeted at years three to seven.
2018 dates: 19 - 23 March, metropolitan/ outer metropolitan, 29 October - 2 November, South-East, South Australia
Please email an expression of interest to brainwave@sawater.com.au nominating your preferred date and we will be in touch to confirm once we have worked out a schedule.
Sewage Treatment: Poo Do-Gurus
Did you know the average person visits the toilet 2500 times a year? Imagine what happens to all that waste! That Science Gang will take you on an interactive, journey to explore how sewage is treated and recycled. At SA Water your 'business' is our business!
Where? Tours are at Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant (or Christies Beach by negotiation). Workshops are at SA Water House, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide.
How long? Tours are one hour, workshops are 1.5 hours. For a combined workshop/tour option please allow four hours (including travel time between venues).
Who? Targeted at years five to seven.
Desalination: Tour
'Kauwi' in the local Indigenous Kaurna language means 'water'. The Kauwi Interpretive Centre is part of the Adelaide Desalination Plant and tells the story of water in South Australia from settlement to now. Discover the desalination story through displays, problem-solving activities and tours.
You will learn about:
- the importance of our desalination plant
- the process from ocean to tap
- the environmental and sustainability aspects of the plant
- local plants historically used by the Kaurna people (featured in the Bushtukka Garden next to the centre).
Each school session includes a short presentation, group activities and a tour of the desalination plant.
Where? Adelaide Desalination Plant, 16 Chrysler Road, Lonsdale.
How long? 1.5 hours.
Who? Targeted at years five to seven.
Desalination: Kauwi Interpretive Walking Trail
The Kauwi Interpretive Trail was developed in collaboration with the local Kaurna people and showcases their history and culture. Along the walking trail are wetlands, look-outs and impressive views of the southern coastline. This includes the Bushtukka Garden.
Where will the trail take me? The trail starts at the Kauwi Interpretive Centre on Chrysler Road at Lonsdale. The trail heads towards Gulf St Vincent and along the coast before turning back towards the Adelaide Desalination Plant.
How long is the trail? The total length of the trail is 2.3 km, or 1.15 km each way.
When can I visit? The trail is accessible 24/7, so you can walk it at any time.
Sustainability Challenge
Challenge your students to explore urban water supply and sustainability issues. Students work in teams to design a sustainable town with a water supply that meets growing demands on the supply system.
This program introduces students to:
- water sources
- treatment processes
- the water cycle
- urban planning
- populations
- demographics.
Where? SA Water House, 250 Victoria Square, Adelaide.
How long? Workshops are two hours long
Who? Targeted at years seven to nine.
Major faults
Mount Crawford
- 14/09/2018
Water Off
Please be advised that supply to some SA Water customers connected to the Warren Transfer Main in the Mt Crawford, Birdwood and Cromer area is currently down due to immediate unplanned work being carried out.
SA Water are endeavouring to have works completed prior to 5:00pm to ensure interruption is minimised to customers. Further updates will be provided at this time.
- See all major faults
Scheduled works
Nelson St
South Plympton
- 18/09/2018
Temporary Supply Interruption
- Estimated start time and water supply off: 21/09/2018 09:00 AM
Estimated restore time and water supply back on: 21/09/2018 03:00 PM
We’re improving your services and undertaking maintenance work in South Plympton. Sometimes our crews need to temporarily interrupt the water supply to our customers and/or manage traffic while they are working. Temporary traffic management may remain in place until reinstatement of the impacted road is complete. We always aim to minimise inconvenience by restoring services as safely and quickly as we can. - See all scheduled works
