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Talking Trash: Throwing Out the Big Apple

Sewer In a Suitcase

CUP’s Sewer in a Suitcase is a working model of the city’s sewer system that lets you explore the mechanics of dirty stormwater events and what they mean for our health and environment, all from your own classroom!

Inside the suitcase is a New York City streetscape. Just add water to the building supply tank, mix in some pollution (a.k.a. glitter), and find out where our dirty water goes on a sunny day. Pour water onto the street to find out what happens when it rains a little, and when it rains a lot.

The kit includes an illustrated educator’s guide that outlines activities demonstrating how the combined sewer system works and helps you to introduce concepts like urban watersheds, water infrastructure, and the health impacts of water pollution.

Activities in the educator’s guide address New York State learning standards in health, math, science, technology, and social studies, but it’s also a great tool for teaching adults in community meetings or other public settings. The guide provides instruction for a stand-alone demonstration, as well as lessons for an expanded three-session curriculum.

You can also hire CUP to conduct a Sewer in a Suitcase workshop.