Schools in Lewis and Harris will be among the first in the Highlands and Islands to take part in Scottish Water’s Water Cycle Workshop, which will be delivered during the week beginning 26 October by the Science Skills Academy.
The Water Cycle Workshop will allow children in P5 to P7 classes across the country to dive into the fascinating world of water, exploring the different stages of the water cycle. Children will also learn about the process involved in getting safe drinking water into Scottish homes by creating their own water filters to treat dirty water.
Jennifer Banks, senior STEM engagement with the SSA, said: “The Water Cycle Workshop continues to be a huge hit with pupils and teachers across the Highlands and Islands. Through hands-on activities, young people gain a better understanding of the value of water and the work involved in keeping this vital resource clean, safe and sustainable.”
Now in its third year, the project is aimed at bringing fun and educational workshops to children, aiming to reach 2,600 children over the next 10 months, which will bring the total of young people engaged to 5,020.
The initiative has been designed with the purpose of guiding young people to become more responsible with their use of water, recognising the importance of conserving and protecting such a precious natural resource, while teaming vital skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The Science Skills Academy (SSA) was launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 2019 and has grown with support from Highland Council and a range of public and private sector partners. It works across the HIE region to inspire young people and develop skills in STEM subjects and industries.
The Water Cycle Workshop was first developed in 2024 in collaboration with Aberdeen Science Centre, before being significantly expanded for its second iteration in 2025, which brought in further STEM education partners to widen its reach and impact.
Part of the publicly owned water company’s Generation H2O education programme, the workshops are also a positive legacy of its annual consultation meetings.
