Press Release: Upper Grand District School Board, March 25, 2026.
GUELPH – For the next several weeks, more than 1,200 students in the Upper Grand District School Board will be participating in H2Awesome, a month-long learning experience focused on understanding and protecting one of our most vital resources, water.
Running from March 22 (World Water Day) to April 22 (Earth Day), students from 24 UGDSB schools will hear from a diverse range of speakers, and will complete reflection and question prompts, and extension activities.
“H2Awesome brings together a diverse range of voices and perspectives, connecting students with experts in Indigenous Art, storytelling, space exploration, water systems, sustainability, and Artificial Intelligence,” said Adam Barnard, UGDSB K-12 Program Lead.
Presenters include engineers, artists, scientists, industry professionals, and community partners who explore topics such as global water connections, water in space, local water and wastewater infrastructure, and the environmental impact of human activity.
Through engaging presentations and accompanying classroom activities connected to a variety of subject areas, students are encouraged to think critically about their relationship with water and consider actions they can take to support sustainable water use locally and globally.
“H2Awesome reflects UGDSB’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning, environmental stewardship, and empowering students to become informed, responsible citizens,” said Heather Walker, UGDSB K-12 Program Lead.
This year’s presenters include:
• Maddy Bolt – From local to global, connections to water
• Alanah Jewell – Water and Indigenous Art
• Kevin Matsui – Water and AI
• City of Guelph + UGDSB – Water Infrastructure
• Dr. Jana Levinson – Water and Food Systems
• Catherine Bush – Arts and Connecting with the Land
• Kate Howells – Water in Space
Although the programming is closely connected to the Grade 7 and 8 curriculum, all classes were invited to participate.
