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, weather permitting
- 60 minutes
- Capacity: 25 students
Take a tour of the 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. A facility tour worksheet is available upon request.
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 April-October, weather permitting
- 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 from our facility. While one group tours, the other can play on the playground, 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.
In Class Programs and Lending Library
Bring BPW into your classroom by hosting an in-class program or borrowing from our lending library. In-Class programs and materials from our lending library are available to teachers within Holland BPW's service territory and are offered based on staff and material availability. Lending Library materials can be picked up at the Service Center located at 625 Hastings Ave during normal operating hours.
In Class Programs
Not able to visit us on a field trip? Let us come to you! Holland BPW in-class programs bring the utility to you. A BPW educator will visit your classroom and provide all materials necessary. Programs can be customized to suit your classroom's needs.
The 4th Grade Energy Efficiency program is an engaging, hands-on lesson designed to teach students about energy efficiency, energy transfers, fuels, and engineering design. Aligned with NGSS and Common Core ELA standards, the program allows teachers to select from four interactive sections:
- Energy Transfers (30-45 min): Students explore the Law of Conservation of Energy and energy transfers by rotating through hands-on stations to identify starting and ending energy forms.
- Fuels (30-45 min): Students complete an interactive reading on energy generation from wind, solar, natural gas, nuclear, and water, followed by group discussions and a matching game.
- Energy Efficiency (30 min): Students compare energy use between incandescent and LED bulbs, predict classroom air leaks, and use an IR camera to detect them.
- Engineering Design (30 min): Students build their own flashlight.
This program also includes take-home energy efficiency kits for students to apply their learning at home. Teachers who complete the Energy Efficiency portion will receive a $100 Amazon gift card for their classroom, or paid transportation for a field trip to Holland Energy Park.
Teachers who have previously completed the Energy Efficiency Unit are invited to borrow materials for these stations to self-guide in their classroom.
This lesson covers Next Gen Science Standards: 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4, 4-ESS3-1, and 4-PS3-2 and reinforces these ELA standards: RI 4.1, 2, 7, and W 4.8
Lending Library
You teach the class, we provide the materials! Holland BPW offers classrooms sets of educational materials that will make teaching your water or energy unit easier than ever.
Complete a classroom energy audit! Watt meters display voltage, estimated monthly and annual cost, and carbon emissions associated with the device being tested.
Group Tours & Holland Energy Park Visitor Center Open Hours
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 Hours
Holland Energy Park's Visitor Center is open to the public on specific dates throughout the year. Open hours events are free. Look for announcements on our social media for 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.
Current Open Hours Dates
Summer Open Hours - TBD
Fall Open Hours (Public Power Week) - TBD, First full week of October
Parking at Holland Energy Park:
Holland Energy Park features a visitor parking lot that can be accessed by entering the main drive off Chicago Dr. and taking the second exit of the traffic circle, or via Fairbanks Ave. A pedestrian entrance is located off the visitor parking lot. Please do not use the intercom for entry outside of posted open hours.
Resources
Electricity and Energy
Careers
Utility Career Fields Booklet
Holland BPW's Utility Career Fields booklet provides an in-depth look at various career opportunities within the utility sector, including energy, water, fiber optics, and business roles. It highlights the meaningful and essential work done by utility professionals, emphasizing the importance of providing electricity, clean water, and reliable internet services to the community.
Career Exploration Activities
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.