Down the Drain Lab
Down the Drain Lab
Students will discover how to use science and their own ideas to protect Earth’s natural resources in this environment focused lab. By designing and constructing different types of storm drain grates they will iterate to keep trash out of the Bay’s watershed from San Jose to the Pacific Ocean.
Lab Guide
Design a robust learning experience by selecting resources from this guide that fit the needs of your students. Reinforce learning before, after and even during your visit by diving deeper into some of the science and engineering concepts.
Lab-Related Activities
Lessons marked with an orange gear icon address engineering within the Next Generation Science Standards.
Connecting with Climate
Grades 6-12
Explore how to problem-solve when approaching large-scale, multidimensional issues like climate change. 
Lesson: 90 minutes
Drain or Dispose?
Grades 3-12
Review these tips for what can and cannot go down the drain. Play a quick game: Pick something on the list. Should you drain or dispose?
Activity: 15+ minutes
Irrigation Situation
Grades 3-5
Use the design process to create a hillside garden irrigation system that maximizes water efficiency.
Lesson: 90 minutesUnit: 150 minutes
Planet Protectors
Grades 3-12
Students work together to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) which educates others about protecting our planet.
Lesson: 120 minutes
Vocabulary Choice Board
Grades K-12
Vocabulary activities to pair with one of our labs or other STEM activities.
Lesson: 20-30 min
Down the Drain Lab
Exhibit Connections
Make connections between learning from the lab and the exhibits and programs found in The Tech Interactive’s galleries. For more exhibit connections, see the Lab Guide above.
- Solve for Earth Solve for Earth creates a space where we can discuss as a community how to live sustainably and reduce the impacts of climate change. Solve for Earth looks at the whole picture: where we live, what we eat, how we move and more. Through this exhibition, we hope to inspire positive action at a community level. Learn More
- Climate Quest An arcade-style game that puts you in charge of taking climate action through everyday choices about food, water, wildlife, and the things you buy. You’ll start with simple actions at home and level up to bigger changes at school and in the community, showing that every choice counts and even small actions can make a big impact on our planet.
- Sea Level Rise and Sea Level Rise Future Solutions An in-depth look at future sea level rise and how it will impact different areas around the world. Then move to the interactive Future Solutions exhibit area, where students can imagine and draw ways to help protect areas from sea level rise.