Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and Toronto Public Libraries (TPL) present:
“Water for the World”

In the next 25 years a third of the population will face severe water scarcity. 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—we are excited that you are interested in helping to prepare your students.

Water for the World workshops are run by two or more volunteers and last between 60-90 minutes. They commence with an opening discussion and slide show about local and global water issues, as well as the role of youth in addressing these challenges.

Following the discussion, students (grades 5-9) participate in an interactive activity in which they are separated into groups representing various countries. Each group is provided with differing levels of information and amounts of play money depending on their country's literacy rate and national wealth. They use their knowledge and resources to build a water filter from recycled bottles and layers of sand and gravel. During the activity students are encouraged to think critically and creatively while collaborating with their peers.

A follow-up discussion, led by presenters, focuses on reviewing the activity and how it relates to reality.

** Please note that you will be required to attend a two hour volunteer orientation and training session facilitated by Engineers Without Borders to prepare for this workshop. You can choose between a weekend and a weekday training session, where you will receive the necessary training to deliver the presentation and have a chance to meet other volunteers!

Thank you for your interest, volunteer slots are currently full.