We love talking to the community and teaching others about energy, power, water treatment, and wastewater reclamation! Whether your class takes a field trip to one of our facilities, you use a Holland BPW lesson plan about energy, or you’re just curious to learn more, we’re here to help. Field trips to Holland BPW facilities will immerse students into the world of public utilities. Students will gain understanding of how utilities work, how public utilities impact a community, and career opportunities in the industry.
Field trips are designed for PreK-12th grade students. Educators should use the Field Trip Request Form to request a field trip or program at one of our facilities. To request a tour of our facilities for college level students or other businesses, please use the Group Tours Request Form.
Field Trips
Thank you for your interest in Holland BPW field trips! For more detail on our facilities and field trips offered, please scroll through the programs below. To request a field trip, complete the form below and your response will be sent to our Education and Visitor Programs Specialist. We look forward to seeing you!
Curriculum Standards and Education Goals
Holland BPW field trips are developed with State of Michigan and Next Generation Science Standards in mind. Our field trips encourage students to explore beyond the light switch and water tap to learn how public utilities provide electricity, broadband, wastewater treatment, and safe drinking water to our community. Programs are offered free of charge. Field trips take place at one of our three facility locations: Holland Energy Park, the Water Reclamation Facility, and the Water Treatment Plant. We also offer programming that can take place in your classroom.
Chaperone Requirements
In general, a minimum of 1 teacher or adult chaperone is required for every 5 students in attendance for PreK-5th grade programs. A minimum of 1 teacher or adult chaperone is required for 6th-12th grade programs. Additional chaperones may be required depending on your choice of program.
Holland Energy Park
Immerse your students in learning at Holland’s combined cycle natural gas power plant, Holland Energy Park. Students will see the power plant at work and discover more about energy and electricity in their community.
Energy Alley: The Holland Energy Park Visitor Center, called Energy Alley, spans the length of the iconic red spine across the front of Holland Energy Park. This unique exhibit features interactive experiences for all ages and explores energy decisions made at the plant and the community.
- Offered Year-Round
- 60 minutes
- Capacity: 25 students
Energy is all around us! Young learners will be introduced to basic energy and electricity concepts and learn how our community uses energy. Program includes a book reading with time for activities or crafts. To conclude the field trip, students will go on a guided scavenger hunt in the Visitor Center. Each student will also take home a copy of "If I Were a Lineworker".
Water Reclamation Facility
Walk through the Water Reclamation Facility on the banks of Lake Macatawa! Students will tour the facility guided by expert staff and educators to learn what happens to wastewater after they flush the toilet.
Tours and field trips at Water Reclamation take place mainly outdoors. In the case of heavy wind, snow, ice, or other inclement weather, your field trip may need to be rescheduled. We recommend scheduling this program April-October.
- Offered April-October
- 60 minutes
- Capacity: 25 students
Take a tour of our Water Reclamation Facility led by BPW educators and operators. Students will go behind the scenes to experience the sights (and smells) of wastewater treatment and learn what happens after the toilet flushes.
An optional field trip guide can be provided for students to complete during their tour. This field trip is designed for students taking general science courses. For advanced students, an AP Environmental Science Focus is offered.
*Please Note: this experience is not ADA accessible and requires students to wear closed-toe shoes. Program is available April-October and takes place mostly outdoors.
Water Treatment Plant
Take a closer look at how drinking water comes from Lake Michigan into your tap! Students will tour the Water Treatment Plant with BPW educators to get a firsthand look at this process.
- Offered Year-Round
- 60 minutes
- Capacity: 25 students
Discover the wonderful world of water at the Water Treatment Plant! Young learners will become a water droplet and explore the steps of the water cycle. Students will visit the filter gallery and learn where our water comes from, how it is treated so it's safe for our community, and how water goes from lake to taps! If possible, our operators will clean a filter (called a backwash).
Due to limited space at the treatment plant, this program takes place mostly outdoors and can be scheduled April-October and take place weather permitting.
Have a larger group? Groups have the option to walk to Tunnel Park (bussing incurs a park fee) from our facility. While one group tours, the other can play on the playgorund, visit the beach, or eat lunch.
Please note that this field trip is not ADA accessible. Students are asked to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
Group Tours & Other Questions
Group tours for Holland Energy Park (power plant), Water Reclamation (wastewater/sewage) and our Water Treatment (drinking water) facilities are available upon request by colleges or local organizations and businesses. These tours are not available for the general pubilc.
Please note that our facilities have age and group size restrictions for your safety and will also require attendees to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. These tours are not ADA accessible and not recommended for those who have difficulty standing or walking for 1 hour.
Holland Energy Park
Visitor Center Open Houses and Open Hours
Throughout the year, Holland Energy Park will open the Visitor Center to the public during free events. Look for announcements on our social media for updates on event dates and times.
The Visitor Center, called Energy Alley, consists of hands-on, interactive exhibits that engage all ages. Visitors will experience the working power plant and learn more about electricity, energy efficiency, and Holland’s “electrifying” history! Guests are also encouraged to take advantage of our ¾ mile paved outdoor trail that highlights native gardens, prairie and wetland habitats.
Open House and Open Hours Information
Open hours and open house dates and times will be listed here. Currently, we do not have any additional events planned for 2024.
Resources
Power/Energy/Electricity
Who Works Here?
Learn more about the people who work at Holland BPW and the jobs that they do to keep our community thriving, healthy and strong.
Holland BPW offers a wide variety of career opportunities for interests of all sorts, and we also offer job shadowing, apprenticeships and other career-related opportunities for high school and above. Interested in Holland BPW talking to your students about utility careers? Email our Education and Visitor Programs Specialist for more information.