Scottish Water, in partnership with Aberdeen Science Centre, Glasgow Science Centre, Dundee Science Centre, Dynamic Earth and the Science Skills Academy, has launched the third year of its Water Cycle Workshop, designed to encourage children across Scotland to become responsible water citizens.
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 (ACM).
Now in its third year, Scottish Water wants to bring the fun and educational workshop to more children than ever before, aiming to reach over 2,600 children across the next 10 months, bringing 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, whilst teaching vital STEM skills.
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.
Aberdeen Science Centre has been pivotal in leading and managing the continued expansion of the Water Cycle project and is responsible for training project partners in the delivery, evaluation and follow-up of the Water Cycle Workshop.
As part of the Scotland-wide collaboration, 50% of all engagements will be for children living in the top 20% most deprived areas in the country, living in remote small towns or rural areas or from underrepresented groups.
Aberdeen Science Centre will engage 500 children through local school visits and outreach sessions, and Glasgow Science Centre will welcome a further 600 children on site. In Dundee, 600 local children will take part, starting with an outreach before a follow-up trip to the centre itself, while at Dynamic Earth, 500 children will combine the workshop with a wider day of activities during an in-reach visit.
The Science Skills Academy will also deliver the workshop to 400 school pupils throughout the Highlands and Islands.
Alex Plant, Chief Executive of Scottish Water, said: “Renewing our partnership with Scotland’s science centres is a powerful way to inspire the next generation to value water and understand the role they can play as responsible water citizens.
“Through hands-on STEM learning, the Water Cycle Workshop helps young people build curiosity, confidence and skills linked to water, sustainability and future careers. It also brings our Social Value strategy to life — using partnership to create lasting benefits for people, places and the planet across Scotland.”
More than 2,400 school pupils across Scotland were engaged with the Water Cycle Workshop during its 2025/26 delivery, and 82% said they learned something new through the sessions, while more than three quarters said it increased their knowledge of ways to save water.
Steph McCann, head of fundraising at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are proud to continue our collaboration with Scottish Water and the other partners across Scotland for the third year of the fantastic Water Cycle Workshop programme. Water is one of our most valuable resources and it is vital that children and young people know the importance of conservation. We hope that through these sessions we can reach more children throughout the country than ever before and make a lasting impact on our use and consumption of water.”
Dr Stephen Breslin, chief executive officer at Glasgow Science Centre, said: “The success of the Water Cycle workshops has demonstrated the power of collaboration in bringing science to life for young people across Scotland. Through our partnership with Scottish Water and the Generation H₂O programme, we have helped pupils gain a deeper understanding of the science of water and water conservation – and the essential role it plays in our everyday lives.
“We are delighted to continue this partnership and to work with other science and discovery centres across Scotland to inspire the next generation to engage with science, sustainability and the environmental challenges that will shape our future.”
Conor Ellis, Dynamic Earth’s science learning and engagement director, said: “Partnering with Scottish Water and our fellow Science Centres creates opportunities for young people across the whole of Scotland to access impactful learning around water citizenship; a vital opportunity to support a sustainable future for a planet under pressure. At Dynamic Earth we’re committed to empowering young people to understand how their actions can have positive impacts locally and globally, and we're delighted to be sharing this important message with learners through Scottish Water’s Generation H2O programme.”
Jennifer Banks, senior STEM engagement officer with the Science Skills Academy, 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. Last year, we engaged 470 pupils through outreach sessions in Orkney and the Caithness Science Festival, and we're excited to bring the programme to more communities in the year ahead."
To date, Scottish Water’s Generation H2O free education programme has reached more than 100,000 pupils across Scotland, helping young people understand water, sustainability and the role they can play in water conservation.
The Water Cycle Workshop content is aligned with related Scottish Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes and include information on careers in the water industry.