NH DRINKING WATER FESTVAL &
4TH GRADE SCIENCE FAIR

Despite a rained-out event, we were able to hold the Statewide Science Fair indoors in Keene on May 8. The outdoor festival was rescheduled for June 5 in Plymouth which was a beautiful day! Thank you to everyone who worked to make the event a success!

We are setting our sights on the 2025 Festival in Rochester on May 7!

Click here for the NH Drinking Water Festival Website

Thank you to our 2024 Festival Donors

Donors Needed!

Each year, NH Drinking Water Coalition recognizes National Drinking Water Week by organizing the New Hampshire Drinking Water Festival and State Science Fair. This extraordinary event focuses on educating fourth grade students on the many ways water is being utilized and introduces students to the people that work to protect it.

The New Hampshire Drinking Water Festival has educated and inspired fourth graders to conserve and protect our water resources for 31 years. Major themes include the water cycle, watersheds, groundwater, wildlife and the human water cycle. Lessons connect with student’s daily lives and explore how they can keep water clean. 

The Coalition is a volunteer organization that relies on donations to fund the festival and science fair each year. Of course, any donation will be gladly accepted; however, a donation of $250 contributes significantly to our operating costs. Donors will be recognized during the festival and in NH Water Works Association’s Summer Newsletter. Donate below or download the printable form.

WANT TO BE INVOLVED?

The Drinking Water Coalition organizes the New Hampshire Drinking Water Festival and Science Fair in a different host city each year. It is a partnership of water professionals from state, municipal, and private organizations committed to teaching children about water and how it relates to their world.

Are you interested in serving on the Drinking Water Coalition? Would you rather be a presenter/exhibitor? Are you an educator that wants to incorporate the festival into your water curriculum? Then reach out to Lara Hooper, New Hampshire Drinking Water Coalition Chair, Drinking Water & Groundwater Education Coordinator & NH Project WET Coordinator, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services at lara.Hooper@des.nh.gov.

WATER FESTIVAL

Hundreds of participating 4th graders, teachers, chaperones and volunteers spend an engaging day, learning from experts, about the impact of water on our everyday lives. Students explore the properties of water, conceptualize the value of water, discover the impact of pollution on watersheds and the ongoing efforts to protect water sources. Volunteers share their expertise through interactive displays, presentations, and entertainment with students. These dedicated volunteers are a mix of public drinking water operators, scientist, consultants, artists, along with local and federal agencies.

  • Water Science Fair 
  • Water Poetry Contest
  • Best Tasting Water Contest
  • Hands on Water Activities
  • Educational Displays & Exhibits
  • Presentations from Water Professionals
  • Live Music & Storytelling

To learn more about the Water Festival visit the Festival Website.

WATER SCIENCE FAIR

The Water Science Fair Program helps students learn about one of the world’s most fascinating natural resources. Students will come to appreciate the water around them and, most importantly, see how their everyday actions at home and school can affect the quality of our common resource. Science fair participants will enhance their science skills and critical thinking. They will pose questions, conduct research, design experiments and communicate their scientific process and discoveries.

State Drinking Water Science Fair participants have all placed in the top few projects at their school fairs.  In some cases they also had to place in the top at a city-wide fair, so a lot of very cool projects are presented!

The Water Science Fair program is designed to encourage a partnership between teachers, local water utilities and other community organizations to create an opportunity for children to learn about local water resources. Local organizations and utilities can be one of your most helpful resources. Water suppliers often offer tours of their facilities and may be willing to give a presentation in your classroom. Water suppliers may have their own libraries with reference materials such as books, brochures and videos for use as well.

To learn more about the Water Science Fair visit the Festival Website.

WATER POETRY CONTEST

The Drinking Water Festival Water Poetry Contest is open to all New Hampshire students in grades 3-5 including homeschoolers. Each year a new water related theme is chosen. Entries are judged based on creativity in interpreting the contest theme and originality.

The theme for 2024 is Imagine A Day Without Water. Submission deadline is March 31, 2024. Prizes: 1st Place – $100, 2nd Place – $75, 3rd Place – $50.

Teachers and principals will be notified prior to the festival if any students from their school have been selected as winners of the poetry contest. All students will be recognized for their work. 

To learn more about the Water Poetry Contest visit the Festival Website.