Cofunded by the European Union

Water4All Educational Toolkits

The Water4All educational toolkits are hands-on experimental kits that allow students to conduct their own experiments, encouraging active learning, reflection, and curiosity. Designed for secondary and high-school students, the toolkits target young people at a stage when they begin to explore science and consider future career paths. Water4All aims to introduce key water challenges early, nurturing scientific curiosity and awareness of water-related issues that are critical for society.

Each toolkit is aligned with the Water4All Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), highlighting priority water challenges that are relevant for both current and future generations.

Manual & Guideline

Each toolkit is accompanied by clear manuals and guidelines for both students and teachers. These materials provide the necessary background and step-by-step instructions, enabling independent use of the toolkits and supporting effective learning inside and outside the classroom.

Development, testing & dissemination

Five Water4All partners developed educational toolkits within their own institutes, which were first tested locally and then disseminated to students through their respective networks. In total, eight educational toolkits were developed under Water4All (click to expand):

  • Algae: The gold green

    The toolkit introduces the concept of removing and recovering valuable resources from water, such as phosphate, before they cause environmental problems. It highlights the link between water contamination challenges and the opportunity to turn pollutants into resources for other purposes, for example through the use of algae.

     

    SRIA: I. Water for circular economy: smart water value

    Developed by: Wetsus

  • Climate change

    The toolkit demonstrates the effects of rising temperatures on the atmosphere, illustrating potential changes due to worsening climate change and encouraging students to reflect on these impacts.

     

    SRIA: II. Water for ecosystems and biodiversity

    Developed by: UÉvora

  • Experiments in hydrogeology

    The toolkit introduces basic concepts in geology, hydrogeology, and hydrology, visualizing subsurface layers to help students understand groundwater flow and river–groundwater interactions.

     

    SRIA: III. Water for the Future: Sustainable Water Management

    Developed by: BRGM

  • Shape your soil

    The toolkit demonstrates the connection between soil and water by showing how different soil types have varying water retention capacities, which are directly linked to drought resilience, soil health, and agricultural productivity.

     

    SRIA: III. Water for the future: sustainable water management

    Developed by: Wetsus

  • Vegetation and nature-based solutions (NBS)

    The toolkit illustrates the role of vegetation in preventing soil erosion and demonstrates how plants help stabilize the landscape. It also highlights the broader environmental benefits of vegetation, including supporting biodiversity, and contributing to sustainable land and water management.

     

    SRIA: II. Water for ecosystems and biodiversity

    Developed by: UÉvora

  • Water treatment – Conventional process

    The toolkit demonstrates conventional water treatment processes, such as coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and sand filtration, used to remove turbidity from water. It helps the students to understand a common water contaminant.

     

    SRIA: IV. Water and Health

    Developed by: LNEC

  • Water treatment – Advanced process

    The toolkit demonstrates advanced water treatment processes for removing emerging contaminants, such as color and micropollutants, using adsorption with activated carbon or membrane filtration. It helps the students to further understand other types of challenging water contaminants and how to remove them.

     

    SRIA: IV. Water and Health

    Developed by: LNEC

  • Water quality toolkits

    The toolkit introduces basic tools for assessing water quality, including the investigation of physical, chemical, and (micro)biological contaminants. It also encourages a critical view of water quality in our environment.

     

    SRIA: IV. Water and Health

    Developed by: CIV-Water

The Water4All Partnership - Water Security for the Planet - is a funding programme for scientific research in freshwater. It aims to tackle water challenges to face climate change, help to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

It is co-funded by the European Union within the frame of the Horizon Europe programme (a key funding programme for research and innovation). The Partnership duration is for seven years from 2022.

The Water4All objective is to enable water security at a large scale and in the long term. Its goal is also to tackle water issues in a holistic frame. 

All forms of life on earth need water. All human activities operate with this resource. Water is part of our everyday life. It is also integrated within urban and countryside landscapes. It is one of the most valuable elements we share with plants and animals.

These simple facts must be kept in mind to understand the Water4All ambition.

This resource is weakened in many places due to climate changes, and human habits. We know that we can improve the way we use water. Everyone has a role to play and especially the scientific research community.

Scientific research is the heart of the Partnership as It is a powerful tool to improve knowledge on preserving, restoring, and managing this essential resource. 

International cooperation is also needed as water has no borders on Earth and runs from one country to another.

Water4All brings together a broad and cohesive group of 90 partners from 33 countries in the European Union and beyond. This consortium gathers partners from the whole water Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) chain.