Meet Drip and Drop: SWIGS brings groundwater education to young learners

Every year, the Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival helps hundreds of elementary school students discover the hidden world of groundwater and the importance of protecting our water resources. This year, members of the Society of the Water Institute Graduate Students (SWIGS) helped bring those lessons to life through a new four-part educational video series created for the festival’s virtual programming.

Guiding students through the videos are Drip and Drop, two friendly water-drop mascots who help explain key water concepts in a fun way. Through their adventures, students learn about groundwater, water conservation, watersheds and environmental stewardship while exploring how water moves through both natural and urban environments.

The Virtual Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival brings environmental education directly into classrooms and homes. Designed for students and educators, the festival connects young learners with experts and organizations from across the region through engaging, flexible learning experiences that inspire curiosity about water and encourage responsible stewardship.

To support this year’s programming, SWIGS developed a series of videos exploring how water moves through and supports communities. The four episodes include The Water Cycle and Cities, Where Water Hides: Storage, Water on the Move: Transport and Cities Working with Water.

Together, the videos introduce students to foundational concepts in water science, from how groundwater is stored beneath our feet to how water travels through watersheds and infrastructure. They also highlight how communities design and manage systems that protect and sustain local water resources.

The project was developed by SWIGS executive members Luana Camelo, Madeline Ho, Kushani Abesekara, Cory Barstow, Ben DePetris, Michael Chislett, Jordan Li and Keira Hum. Drawing on diverse expertise across water science, engineering and environmental research, the team worked collaboratively to translate complex scientific ideas into engaging, age-appropriate stories for a young audience.

The collaboration reflects a commitment between SWIGS and regional partners to strengthen water education and community engagement. By contributing to the festival’s virtual programming, graduate students are helping extend the reach of water education beyond the classroom and into homes across the region.

Festival organizers and The Region of Waterloo partnered with SWIGS on the project, supporting the development of the video series and reinforcing the importance of water education for local students.

As the festival reaches hundreds of students each year, initiatives like this help spark early curiosity about water science and environmental stewardship. With the help of Drip and Drop, complex ideas are made approachable and engaging, encouraging the next generation to better understand, appreciate and protect the water systems that sustain their communities.

Watch the 2026 Virtual Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival on YouTube.

Screen captures from the 4 videos created.