Wastewater & Sanitation (5-12)
Free, hands-on wastewater education for Orange County schools.
Inside the Outdoors partners with the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) to bring hands-on, standards-aligned wastewater education directly to students. Through grade-specific Traveling Scientist programs, students investigate sewer systems, wastewater treatment, water quality, and real-world environmental challenges while exploring the science and engineering behind the systems that protect public health and the environment.
Programs are offered at no cost to eligible schools through funding from OC San.
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Students use models, experiments, water testing, and engineering challenges to investigate real wastewater issues.
REAL-WORLD CONNECTIONS
Programs connect classroom science to sewer systems, wastewater treatment, environmental protection, and the work of OC San.
STANDARDS-ALIGNED
Grade-specific experiences support NGSS and California's Environmental Principles and Concepts.
5th Grade
Scientists of the Sewers: Crazy Colossal Clogs
Fatbergs • Sewer systems
Engineering solutions
60 minutes • Classroom Presentation
Middle School
Scientists of the Sewers
Wastewater treatment • Water quality
Microorganisms & contamination
45–60 minutes • Classroom Presentation
High School
Scientists of the Sewers
Biosolids • Greenhouse gas emissions
Engineering solutions
45–60 minutes • Classroom Presentation
Priority Communities for 2026–27
For the 2026–27 school year, Inside the Outdoors and OC San are prioritizing outreach to schools in:
Buena Park • Cypress • Newport Beach • Santa Ana
Schools in these communities are especially encouraged to apply.
Funding may also be available to eligible schools in other communities within OC San's service area.
How Funding Works
Find Your Program
Choose the grade-level program that best fits your students.
Apply for Funding
Submit a grant application to determine your school's eligibility.
Schedule Your Program
Approved schools will receive information about scheduling their program(s).
GRANT APPLICATION COMING SOON
Funding is limited and subject to program availability.
Wastewater Education Through Partnership
These programs are made possible through a partnership between the Orange County Department of Education, Inside the Outdoors, and the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San). Together, we connect classroom science to the people, systems, and technologies that safely collect and treat wastewater while protecting public health and the environment.
