A Trip to the WaterWorks Education Center
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Promoting Water Education, Conservation and Stewardship
Visitor Information | Teacher Previews | Reservations | Confirmation | Cancellations | Teacher Information | Guidelines
Student Rules | Sick Children | Directions | Bus Parking | WaterWeek 2013 | T-shirt Design Art Contest
About the WaterWorks
Located near the shores of Lake Houston at the City of Houston’s Northeast Water Purification Plant, WaterWorks Education Center is a one-of-a-kind water destination whose mission is to promote water education, conservation and stewardship.
The City of Houston’s WaterWorks Education Center welcomes all educational groups to explore the wonders of water during a field trip designed to imbue them with a sense of wonderment and discovery about one of earth’s most precious resources.
The Center offers visitors an innovative environment for creative learning with interactive exhibits, demonstrations and tours. A project of the City of Houston Public Works & Engineering Department, opened in October 2010, the WaterWorks hosts numerous school field trips and tours. Field trips and tours are by reservation only.
WaterWorks is located at 12121 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Humble, Texas 77396.
Phone: 832-395-3791
(VIEW MAP)
Field Trip Information
Admission is free and by appointment only. The WaterWorks is open for field trips Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with the last appointment occurring at 3:00 p.m. We are closed Saturday, Sunday and all City of Houston holidays. Any other times are by special arrangement.
Tours are available for Kindergarten through 12th grade classes, home school groups and adult groups. Summer camps, after-school programs, scouting groups and others are also welcome.
Our science-based programs help your students achieve Texas Education Agency science requirements, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). All hands-on activities are aligned to the Texas Educations Agency’s TEKS.
We request a minimum of 15 persons per field trip visit. Due to space constraints, we can generally accommodate a maximum of 35 students at a time. Larger groups should call for additional information.
The WaterWorks Education Center is ADA compliant. Please let us know if you have any special needs.
Our field trips consist of a combination of guided tours, self-guided visits, scavenger hunts and hands-on activities depending on the age and size of your group. In order to make the most of your visit, it is helpful to prepare students for their trip.
Preview Appointments
We welcome all teachers, administrators, home school parents and partners to visit the WaterWorks Education Center to learn what we have to offer. Please call 832-395-3791 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a preview.
Reservations
QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHEDULING A FIELD TRIP?
CALL 832-395-3791 or email
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The WaterWorks Education Center requires advance reservations for all visiting school groups. School group reservations may be made by phone or by downloading the field trip reservation form and faxing or e-mailing the completed form to Susan Smyer. Phone #: 832-395-3791, FAX #: 832-395-3788, email:
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DOWNLOAD FORM HERE
Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. School field trips are scheduled Monday – Friday. We strongly recommend scheduling your trip early in the school year to avoid missing out on your ideal dates.
Please note that an inquiry into date availability or a voice message does NOT constitute a reservation.
Our field trip visits require advanced planning and are based on the number of student spaces reserved for each program. Please assist us in serving your needs by registering an accurate number of students for your planned field trip.
For an established field trip, the person who booked the trip should call 832-395-3791 at any time during the business day prior to the day of arrival to add or subtract people from the reservation.
Have the Following Information Ready When Calling to Book Your Visit
- Teacher/contact person name
- School Name and mailing address
- Direct phone and fax number
- E-mail address
- Best time to reach teacher during the day
- Number of students and grade level
- Number of chaperones
- Requested dates and time
♦ Additional alternate dates and times, in case you first choice is not available.
Reservation Form
Please fill out a reservation form when booking your trip. Forms are required no matter the type or size of your group. Click here to download a field trip form:
Please FAX, mail or email the registration form to:
FAX: 832-395-3788
Address: 12121 N. Sam Houston Parkway East
Humble, TX 77396
Email:
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Reservation Confirmation
Once we receive your reservation, a confirmation letter will be mailed or emailed to you. If you do not receive a confirmation letter in a timely manner, please contact our staff at 832-395-3791 to confirm the reservation.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel your visit, please let us know as soon as possible by phone or email.
We thank you for choosing the WaterWorks Education Center for your field trip. We will work with you to make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience for your group.
FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES & GROUP CONDUCT
Field Trips Are Still School, But With a Difference
It’s wonderful to leave the classroom and visit a special place for a day as a class. Museum, zoos, historic sites, science centers, police and fire stations, sports arenas, parks—is there any place that a field trip can’t go?
The students are excited and often feel like the field trip is an extended recess playtime. Often a gentle reminder that even though they are not in their familiar building, they are still in school, may be in order.
Chaperones
You MUST bring one adult parent, teacher or guardian (18 years of age or older) for every 10 students (under 18) to ensure safety and to help supervise. The program is designed for students and teachers. Both should be engaged in the program. Age appropriate younger siblings are welcome, however additional supervision may be necessary in addition to the number required above. ** IMPORTANT: All Adults must present a PHOTO ID to the security guard at the plant entrance.
We ask for your assistance and cooperation in making your field trip a worthwhile educational experience for your students while at the same time keeping them safe and under control. Please turn off your cell phones.
Field Trip Length
Generally school visits are scheduled in approximately 2 hour blocks. To insure that you receive your full time, plan to arrive at the WaterWorks approximately 15 or 20 minutes early. Additional time may be necessary depending on group size and attentiveness.
Allow sufficient time in your schedule for traffic delays, unloading at the museum, rest room breaks, educational presentations and activities, and reloading your group.
Name Tags
Although name tags are not required, we highly recommend them. They allow our staff to communicate much more effectively. Please write names large enough to be read.
Group Conduct Guidelines
Please share the following rules and guidelines with your students and all of the adults attending the field trip. They are designed to assure a safe and enjoyable trip for everyone.
- Please make every effort to arrive on time.
- Students must be supervised at all times. Teachers and chaperones are responsible for maintaining the discipline necessary for proper behavior while visiting the facility.
- Chaperones (includes teachers and parents) are required to accompany students for the duration of the visit.
- For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, disruptive or unsafe behavior will not be permitted and may result in the entire group being asked to leave.
- NO backpacks, cell phone usage (except for photos), headphones, gum, or candy will be allowed inside the WaterWorks Education Center. Water fountains are available near the rest rooms.
- Please be considerate of other guests visiting the facility.
- No running or jumping is allowed inside the center.
- For your own safety, do not climb on things and do not lean against walls or exhibits.
- Students may not leave the group at any time without being accompanied by a chaperone.
- Please use inside voices so as not to disrupt other visitors. You do not need to whisper.
- Please use only pencils in the WaterWorks.
- When a teacher, volunteer or group leader raises his or her hand, it is a signal to be quiet and listen.
- Please touch and take photographs.
- Laugh, explore, have fun and ask a lot of questions.
Sick Children
We ask that you do not bring sick children to our facility. Students that are nauseated or running a fever should not be brought into the building. In the case that a child becomes sick, please notify a staff member.
Directions
Bus drivers and field trip leaders should review the directions to the center prior to departure. If you get lost, please stop and call 832-395-3791 for directions. DOWNLOAD AND PRINT A MAP HERE.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WATERWORKS EDUCATION CENTER:
Waterworks is approximately 5 miles east of the I-59 North and the Sam Houston Parkway/Beltway 8 Tollway freeway interchange. When searching on GPS, search for the intersection of Lockwood Rd and N. Sam Houston Parkway E./Sam Houston Tollway. As you approach this intersection, look for the blue “WaterWorks Education Center” signs.
From downtown Houston and loop 610:
Take I-59 North (toward Cleveland). Follow the directions below from I-59 North/Beltway 8 interchange.
From the I-59 North/Beltway 8 Interchange:
At the I-59 North/Sam Houston Parkway (Beltway 8 Tollway) interchange, go east on the Sam Houston Parkway/Beltway 8. After the Beltway 8 overpass, take the first exit -- MESA Road -- onto the Feeder Rd. to avoid tolls (EZ Tags Only). If you stay on the tollway, EXIT at John Ralston/Lockwood exit. You must be on the feeder road at Lockwood.
On the Feeder Road, move into the right lane before reaching the Lockwood traffic signal. About 50 yards AFTER the Lockwood traffic light (and before the next overpass), look for the large Green EXIT sign. Use this EXIT road to make a U-TURN under the Beltway/Feeder Rd. overpass.
After completing the U-turn, you will see a road that curves to the right. Turn right, cross the railroad tracks, and proceed to the WaterWorks Education Center at the Northeast Water Purification Plant.
** IMPORTANT: All Adults must present aPHOTO ID to the security guard at the plant entrance.
From Clear Lake, Channelview, and Pearland:
Travel north on the Sam Houston Parkway/Beltway 8 Tollway. (From I-10 East, drive about 11 mi. north). EXIT at West Lake Houston Parkway/Lockwood Rd. onto the Feeder Rd. (You will see Summerwood subdivision entrance and an HEB grocery).
You must be in the left lane of the Feeder Rd. at Lockwood Road to make a U-Turn. After completing the U-turn at Lockwood, look for the large green EXIT sign*** on the east-bound side of the freeway.
***About 50 yards east of the Lockwood traffic light, there is small blue WaterWorks Education Center sign and a large green EXIT sign. Follow this Exit to make another U-turn underneath the Beltway/Feeder Rd. overpass. After completing this U-turn, make a right turn, and proceed over the railroad tracks to the WaterWorks Education Center at the Northeast Water Purification Plant.
** IMPORTANT: All adults must provide a driver’s license/photo ID to the security guard at the plant entrance.
Bus Unloading/Parking
Please pull into the circle drive in front of the WaterWorks to unload and load your students. A staff member will greet you and direct you to a parking location.
For more information about field trips to the WaterWorks Education Center, please call us at 832-395-3791 or email
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We look forward to seeing you!
WaterWeek 2013
Each year, more than 1,500 students and educators gain new insight into the importance of conserving their drinking water resources at the annual WaterWeek Festival at the WaterWorks Education Center. WaterWeek 2013 is scheduled for April 29 - May 3. Attendance is free with advance registration. Download a WaterWorks Education Center Field Trip Request Form to register for any day of this exciting week of activities. Space is limited to 350 students per day. Download the Exhibit Registration form.
T-Shirt Design Art Contest
Ready, Set, DRAW !! This year’s theme is: Water – Use it Wisely
Entry Deadline: March 8
Download the T-Shirt Design Contest information.
