WaterWorks Environmental Learning Lab

10/19/2026

🎃 REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 🎃

Squirrels fall out of trees all the time. So why don’t they splat?

At our next Friday Night Science, we’re putting that question to the test with Myth?Busted.

We’ll dig into the biology and physics that help squirrels survive incredible falls, then hand you a pumpkin and a pile of materials. Your job? Use what you learned to engineer a way for your pumpkin to survive a fall of its own.

Build around it. Slow it down. Create a landing system. Get weird with it.

Then we’re throwing them off the roof in the name of science.

Friday Night Science: Myth?Busted.
November 6 | 7–9 pm
$25 | Adults only (18+)

Because you’re old enough to sign your own permission slip.

Register now: waterworksedu.org/fridaynightscience

10/16/2026

Orange you glad we planted natives? 🧡

10/06/2026

Important work happening at WaterWorks! 🌲🪚

After Ips beetles moved into several of our pine trees, we had to make the call to take the affected trees down before they died and started dropping limbs. These tiny bark beetles tunnel beneath the bark of pine trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to move water and nutrients. Once a tree is heavily infested, it can decline pretty quickly.

We’re big fans of trees around here but we’re significantly less enthusiastic about tree limbs falling on people’s heads.

So, down they came. It’s all part of making sure WaterWorks stays a safe place for students to explore, learn, and spend time outside.

Panda has inspected the work site and would also like everyone to know that the sudden abundance of giant sticks is the best facility improvement we’ve made yet. 🐾😂

10/03/2026

You read about it… now come help us plant it! 🌱

The Morgan County Master Gardeners have been hard at work helping us bring the WaterWorks Pollinator Garden back to life, and now it’s time to get these plants in the ground!

Come dig in with us Wednesday, October 7 at 9 am at WaterWorks. We’ve got the plants. We’ve got the plan. Now we just need some extra hands! 🌿🦋

Were you ever curious about that building on Hwy 31 north of Hartselle? Norris Johnston tells us today's purpose of what was once the supplier of Hartselle's water . And how MCMGA is involved. It's all in today's The Decatur Daily Living section.

10/01/2026

We love seeing familiar faces at WaterWorks! 💧🌿

Vinemont made their annual trip back to WaterWorks yesterday, and we love that spending a day with us has become part of their school year.

09/30/2026

Hump Day? We’ll just float on by. 🛶👋

09/29/2026

Can we get a little appreciation for this green treefrog? 💚🐸

09/29/2026

Teachers, this one’s for you! 🍂💧

Our friends at Camp McDowell have some great fall teacher workshops coming up, and we think you should go!

And if you just can’t get enough of us, sign up for Wild About Water with Dr. Deutsch. You’ll find some familiar WaterWorks faces there, but this time we’ll be learning right alongside you. 🔬🌿

Come hang out with us while someone else does the teaching for a change!

We have a great lineup of fall teacher workshops coming up!

These high-quality PD opportunities are a great way to visit McDowell, connect with other educators, and earn your continuing education credits. Whether you need the credits, or you just want to expand your curriculum by picking up some new and fun ideas for your classroom, you will find what you need at a McDowell Teacher Workshop!

Learn more and register today: https://campmcdowell.org/teacher-workshops-overview

09/25/2026

🎃 “I’M A PUMPKIN!” 🎃

Panda has learned an important workplace lesson: when the boss says she needs a volunteer, ask what you’re volunteering for.

Our next Friday Night Science is Myth?Busted. We’re learning the biology and physics behind how squirrels survive falling out of trees, then using what we learn to engineer a way for a pumpkin to survive a fall of its own.

And yes. We really are throwing them off the roof.

Friday Night Science: Myth?Busted.
📅 November 6 | 7–9 pm
🎟️ $25 | Adults only (18+)

Registration is open now!
waterworksedu.org/fridaynightscience

No Chief Wetland Officers were harmed in the testing of this myth.

09/04/2026

Happy National Wildlife Day from one of WaterWorks’ newest residents! 🐸

We found this little Cope’s gray treefrog hanging out inside the building, so we relocated him to our indoor wetland.

Apparently, the accommodations were acceptable because he stayed.

Cope’s gray treefrogs are usually pretty good at blending into their surroundings, but his camouflage strategy of “be gray and sit on something bright blue” isn’t working quite as well as he hoped. 😂

He’s been living his best frog life among the plants ever since, and we’re choosing to count his extended stay as a five-star review of our wetland habitat. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐