The spirit of curiosity and discovery was alive as 486 students gathered for the New Hampshire Drinking Water Festival, State Science Fair and Poetry Contest on May 6, 2026. The event, held in celebration of National Drinking Water Week, gave students a chance to connect, learn, and deepen their appreciation for one of our most vital resources.
During the event, students were recognized for their outstanding achievements in the State Water Science Fair and Poetry Contest, celebrating their creativity, hard work, and passion for water science.
4th – 5th Grade Water Science Fair:
Students presented their science research projects to panels of judges. Congratulations to:
First Place: Vanessa Trill and Ella Chiccarelli, 5th graders at World Academy in Nashua for their “Buoyancy” project.
Second Place: Malcom Blake, 5th grader at Mills Falls School in Manchester for his “How do different pH Levels affect fossils” project.
Third Place: Caroline Becerra, 4th grader at Webster School in Manchester, for her “Walking Water” project.
3rd – 5th Grade Water Poetry Contest:
Students from across the state submitted 246 poems based on the contest theme “Water into Words.” Congratulations to:
First Place: Felix Segatto, 5th grader at 2nd Nature Academy in Nashua, for his poem “Save It to the Cloud.”
Second Place: Annabell MacDonald, 4th grader at Hampstead Central School in Hampstead, for her poem “Water Feelings Through the Water
Cycle.”
Third Place: Nicholas Ellis, 4th grader at Hampstead Central School in Hampstead, for his poem “The Beautiful Sounds & Sights of Water.”
To read the poems, visit the New Hampshire Water Festival Poetry Contest webpage or the NHDES Facebook page.
Beyond celebrating academic excellence, the festival immersed students in the wonders and challenges of water science. Through hands-on activities led by professionals, students explored a wide range of water topics and pressing issues affecting New Hampshire and the world. From watershed protection and water conservation to pollution prevention and ecosystem services, participants gained fresh insights and inspiration. The opportunity to learn from experts across diverse water-related careers gave many students a glimpse into exciting futures where they, too, can make a difference.
Each year, students vote to decide which municipal water system deserves to take home the Best Tasting Water Award. Several systems go head-to-head, hoping to earn the students’ votes and claim this coveted honor. This year, after much enthusiastic taste testing, Plymouth Village Sewer and Water District proudly took home the prize for best-tasting water!