WATER FOR THE WORLD
About W4TW
2 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water, according to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2023. By 2050, this problem is projected to become more dire as nearly two-thirds of the world’s population will face at least one month of severe water scarcity every year.
With 20 percent of the world’s total freshwater resources and the longest marine coastline of any country in the world, Canada plays a pivotal role in managing global water resources. The next generation of Canadians must be well equipped to tackle the world’s water challenges. Water for the World aims to ignite a sense of pragmatism to develop systemic change leaders.
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Throughout the school year, Water for the World will work with educators to teach students about global water issues through an interactive exercise. Workshops will be delivered to students in grades 7 to 12 by trained and engaged volunteers who have backgrounds in diverse fields such as engineering and social innovation.
During National Engineering Month in March 2024, Water for the World will also partner with the Toronto Public Library to reach even more students who are interested in learning more about water scarcity. As an educator and as a volunteer, you can help to introduce a new generation to the power of youth leaders in the global fight to increase access to clean water.
The Workshop
The Water for the World presentation is an engaging hour and a half that educates, challenges, and inspires students to think about creative solutions to global water access issues. Our program is divided into a three-part learning format as recommended by the Ontario Ministry of Education – Opening (Minds On), Middle (Action – Interactive/Hands-On), Closing (Debrief/Consolidation).
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A large component of the presentation involves hands-on interaction where groups of 4-6 students construct their own water filters using recycled plastic bottles and multiple layers of sand and gravel. The students are grouped into different countries, and are provided with different levels of information and amounts of play money, depending on their country’s literacy rate and wealth, respectively.
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Through this activity, students are challenged to think critically and creatively, while collaborating with their peers. Students will gain a better understanding of social issues in technological development, while being exposed to the concept of international interdependence and cooperation as it relates to the global need for potable water. We also aim to engage students by highlighting the potential role youth can have in addressing these issues.
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Get Involved as an Educator!
If you are an educator in the Greater Toronto Area with students in grades 7 to 12 and would like our trained volunteers to guide your students through the Water for the World activity, please fill out this form. We can deliver the presentation at a time and date that is best suited for your class and will reach out to you by email to organize the session.
Get Involved as a Volunteer!
If you are passionate about working towards ending water scarcity and engaging with young minds, please fill out this form. We provide training and activity resources to all our volunteers and will pair you up to deliver the workshops. There is no minimum commitment required and sessions are delivered based on your availability.
