Water Education (K-12)
Free, hands-on water education for eligible Orange County schools.
Inside the Outdoors partners with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and participating Orange County water providers to bring hands-on, standards-aligned water education programs to K-12 students throughout Orange County. Students investigate local water challenges, explore their connection to Orange County's water resources, and develop solutions that support a sustainable water future.
Programs are offered at no cost to eligible schools through funding from participating Orange County water providers.
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Students investigate real water challenges through models, experiments, engineering, and collaborative problem-solving.
LOCAL CONNECTIONS
Programs connect science learning to Orange County's water supplies, watersheds, conservation efforts, and communities.
STANDARDS-ALIGNED
Grade-specific experiences support California academic standards and environmental literacy.
Find Your Program
Choose the grade-level program that fits your students.
Elementary School Programs
Water Heroes
KINDERGARTEN
Ricky Raindrop's
Water Helpers Training Day
Water Use • Water quality
Community helpers
45 minutes • Classroom Presentation
1ST GRADE
Ricky Raindrop's
Water-Saving Coaches
Water conservation • Home water use
Water-saving choices
45 minutes • Classroom Presentation
Drip Drop
3RD GRADE
Ricky Raindrop's
Designs for Drought Challenge
Drought • Water conservation
Engineering solutions
60 minutes • Grade-Level Assembly
4TH GRADE
Designing a Water-Wise
School Garden
Plant adaptations • Water conservation
Garden design
60 minutes • Grade-Level Assembly
Middle School Programs
High School Programs
Wonders of Water
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).
Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Submissions of an application does not guarantee funding or program availability.
Water Education Through Partnership
These programs are made possible through a partnership between the Orange County Department of Education, the Municipal Water District of Orange County, and participating Orange County water providers. Together, we connect classroom learning to the people, systems, and natural resources that provide clean, safe, reliable water to Orange County communities.