Where Does It Go?
“Where Does IT Go?” is a children’s storybook and award-winning animated video about the wastewater treatment process. Three Water Science Explorers are curious about what happens when they flush the toilet. Yadira, Paul, and Jessica set off on a special mission to explore the mystery of where pee, poop and toilet paper go. They also explore the many water career opportunities! The storybook offers STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) workbook activities.
The “Where Does IT Go?” storybook is free for download:
English • Spanish • Chinese • Polish
An animated video is available in:
English • Spanish • Chinese • Polish
Resources for educators
Educators within the MWRD service area can request a presentation of our book for groups of 25 or more. This can be an in-person or virtual event. Virtual presentations can be on your preferred platform, like Zoom or Google Meet.
Fourth-grade teachers within the MWRD service area can request copies of the book for their classrooms by emailing communityeducation@mwrd.org.
Reviews
“What I love about the ‘Where Does IT Go?’ storybook is that it can be revisited again and again, exploring different concepts with the young reader every time, from the water cycle, to microbiology, to basic physics, to social responsibility, just to name a few. Using water treatment as the jumping off point, it spurs the young reader to be curious about the world around them: about their environment, about the value of resources, and about how their actions have consequences.”
— Tom Kunetz, past president of the Water Environment Federation
“Thank you again for coming to our class at Palmer! Your (virtual) presentation fit in perfectly with our work in science.”
— J. Ruff, NBCT, 8th-grade science and social studies teacher, Palmer Elementary School (Mayfair)
“We are very excited that you produced this book. Congrats! I have been looking for materials, in-person tours, or virtual presentations for my kids since they first expressed an interest in stormwater/wastewater - which was probably as soon as they could talk! I think this book will fill a need for information on an important topic at a stage when kids are naturally curious about it.”
—Meghan Meyer
“…My daughter at 5 is younger than the targeted age but she enjoyed the virtual tour last year and having the book this year has really captured her imagination. To her grandma's hilarious dismay ‘Where Does IT Go?’ has become a favorite. I am glad we have it in our home, I learned new things even after taking the tour!”
— Deanne P.
“In our opinion, it is worth getting for a child who is already reading. Even with little ones who are just learning to read, you can sit down and show pictures about the secrets of the water pipes. Genuinely interesting.”
— Polish Consulate in Chicago
“Offering an important lesson about water treatment, the book and video feature colorful illustrations, an easy-to-understand story, and plenty of science-related games and puzzles.”
— Susan DeGrane, The Daily Southtown - See the full review here.