The water systems workshop explores how water has been harvested and used in Stanmer Park in the past. 

It looks at the historical, current and future uses of this precious resource. 

Our personal impact, responsibility and solutions we can provide to reduce our water use will be underlined throughout. 

The workshop compliments the Water aquifer workshop and can be combined into a longer double workshop. 

Water systems workshop outline

Starting with an interactive discussion on the importance and history of water, the workshop then moves on to a walking tour to go see the different water systems in Stanmer Park. 

The tour looks at the very rare Victorian water catchment system, the Donkey Wheel in the village and the chalk aquifer which supplies all the freshwater to Brighton and Hove.

Water systems workshop learning objectives

Through the water systems workshop studnets will develop an understanding of:

• Issues around water and its conservation.
• How a Victorian water catchment system works and its place in.
• How the Donkey Wheel works and its place in history.
• How the aquifer under Stanmer Park collects its water and the process of how the chalk filters and cleans the water.
• Sources of contamination for drinking water, e.g. sea water or fertilisers.

Water systems workshop key stage links

The water systems workshop links with different topics within the National Curriculum:

• Key Stage 2: Science, Geography and History
• Key Stage 3: Science

The workshop was developed as part of the Stanmer Restoration Project.  The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the BIG Lottery ‘Parks for People’ scheme, as well as Brighton & Hove City Council, Plumpton College and the South Downs National Park Authority.

If you are interested in this water workshop as part of an Eco Education Day then please contact us.