Water Science for Young Explorers

Course summary

• Ages: 8–12
• Prerequisites: none
• Length: six modules, usually spread over four to eight weeks
• Format: self-paced online lessons, downloadable workbook pages, hands-on investigations
• Access: 12 months from enrolment
• Supervision: adult supervision required for the water investigations

What learners will be able to do

• Describe the water cycle accurately and explain what drives it
• Explain what a watershed is and identify features of their own
• Plan a fair test, change one variable and record results in a table
• Build and improve a simple water filter, and explain why the improved version works better
• Use evidence from their own results to support an explanation
• Describe two ways their household affects the water that leaves it

Curriculum

1. Water everywhere — properties of water and why it behaves the way it does
2. The water cycle — evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection
3. Watersheds — the crumpled-paper model and finding your own
4. What is in water — observation, settling and simple separation
5. Cleaning water — build, test and improve a filter
6. Water and us — a final investigation and presentation

What is included

• Six modules of self-paced lessons
• A downloadable course workbook with recording pages for every investigation
• Six guided hands-on investigations using household materials
• Module quizzes and a final project brief
• Certificate of Completion

What you need

• A device with a current browser
• Household materials: bottles, jars, sand, gravel, cotton wool, food colouring, a spray bottle
• A printer for the workbook pages, or a notebook if you prefer

Access and refunds

• Access begins as soon as your payment is confirmed. You will receive an enrolment email with your login and a Start Here guide.
• You need an account so your progress is saved. You can create it during checkout.
• Works on a laptop, tablet or phone in any current browser. Nothing to install.
• Access runs for 12 months from enrolment, and you can revisit any lesson during that time.
• Refunds: you may request a refund within 7 days of enrolment if you have consumed less than 20% of the course — measured by lessons marked complete and files downloaded. After that, or once downloadable course files have been taken, the purchase is final. This does not affect rights you have under mandatory consumer law. See the Refund & Cancellation Policy and Course Access Policy.
• A “Certificate of Completion” is issued at the end. It is a record of finishing this course — it is not an accredited qualification.

About the certificate

Learners who complete every lesson receive a Certificate of Completion. It records that the course was finished. Watershed Learning is not an accredited institution and does not award credit, grades or qualifications.

Common questions

How much adult help is needed?

Most learners aged ten and up work independently between investigations. Younger learners will want an adult alongside for setup.

Is there a matching kit?

Yes — the Build-a-Water-Filter STEM Kit covers module five, or take the course and kit together in the Young Water Scientist Bundle.