These inquiry-based studies link Just Add Water to original files in the National Archives collection. Each study involves an issue from the exhibition.

Document studies can be used as whole class investigations, small-group or individual projects. They can also be used as stimulus for class debates and discussions.

The exhibition addresses national curriculum outcomes for Studies of Society and Environment and Technology Education (years 7–10). It also has content relevant to post-compulsory (years 11–12) students in the study of environmental and resource management issues.

The document studies will help students to:

• explore the history of Australian water management
• analyse the impact of people and attitudes to the environment
• identify key forces for change and continuity over time
• discover how primary documents are evidence of history
• investigate government records from the National Archives collection.