Jordan spent the day visiting a number of local landmarks including the Harris River Dam where he learned about how high the water mark is during the winter months. He visited Worsley Alumina Refinery and learned that like salt water when it dries leaving a salt residue, so Aluminium Hydrate dissolved in Caustic Soda when cooled can leave a residue of slurry which when heated in a furnace leaves Alumina or Aluminium Dioxide. Later he spent time at the Binningup Sea Water Desalination Plant where he learned about how fibreglass pipes of quite large diameter draw water from far into the ocean to a series of membranes which remove the salt and create fresh water. He observed a plant flowchart showing the main elements of the desalination plant and learned that the plant can supply up to 50% of the City of Perth's water needs in summer.

Math

• Understanding water mark levels at the Harris River Dam during different seasons, which involves the concept of measurement and data analysis.
• Learning about the capacity of the Binningup Sea Water Desalination Plant and its impact on supplying water to the City of Perth, connecting to the concept of percentages and real-world applications of mathematics.
• Observing the flowchart of the desalination plant, which involves interpreting and analyzing graphical data.

Science

• Understanding the process of producing Alumina or Aluminium Dioxide from Aluminium Hydrate dissolved in Caustic Soda, which involves the concept of chemical reactions and phase changes.
• Learning about the process of desalination and how membranes remove salt to create fresh water, connecting to the concept of separation processes and the properties of water.

Social Studies

• Visiting local landmarks such as the Harris River Dam and the Worsley Alumina Refinery, providing a practical understanding of the local area's infrastructure, history, and economy.

Creative development related to this activity can include conducting experiments to demonstrate the desalination process using simple materials at home, creating a model of a desalination plant, and researching the geographical and social impact of water management systems.

Book Recommendations

• Water, Water Everywhere: A Book About the Water Cycle by Julie Aigner-Clark: This book explores the water cycle in an engaging and educational way, introducing young readers to the importance of water in our world.
• The Magic School Bus At The Waterworks by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen: Join Ms. Frizzle and her class on a magical field trip to the waterworks, learning about the water treatment process in an exciting and informative adventure.
• One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss and Rosemary Woods: This book provides a comprehensive look at the importance of water on Earth, discussing its sources, uses, and conservation in a captivating and accessible manner.