Chad Thompson Board Member Clerk | Gilbert Public Schools District
Chad Thompson Board Member Clerk | Gilbert Public Schools District
Gilbert Public Schools' fourth-grade students took part in the Gilbert Water Festival, an educational event organized by the University of Arizona’s Project WET. Held at the Gilbert Civic Center on February 24th and 25th, 2025, the festival aimed to provide a fun and interactive learning experience focused on water conservation. The initiative encouraged students to think like scientists and engineers.
Project WET offers interactive water education through its Water Festival and supplements it with teacher training, student outreach, and community connections. The festival included hands-on activities such as a water conservation relay race, groundwater extraction simulations, watershed modeling, and a water cycle bracelet-making exercise.
"Students gain a deeper understanding of the material when they can physically interact with it and see the concepts in action," said Barbara Torrey, K-12 Science Coordinator at Gilbert Public Schools. “Our goal is to get our students to think like scientists and engineers. We want them to be excited about science and water conservation, especially here in Arizona where water plays such an important role in our everyday lives.”
The festival activities were designed to align with Arizona state academic science standards. Before attending the event, students learned about heat's impact on water molecules, how water moves through Earth's materials like gravel, sand, and plants, and how watersheds affect city planning. Afterward, they continued exploring topics such as water pollution and groundwater extraction techniques while reflecting on their personal water footprints.
“Academic standards are the foundation of everything we do. Every activity we offer our students supports their learning as they work through our Science standards. We want to make their education experience as engaging and enjoyable as possible,” added Barbara Torrey.
The Town of Gilbert supported the event by funding transportation for students and providing food and water for volunteers. Around 50 members of Campo Verde High School’s Link Crew volunteered each day alongside thirty volunteers from the Town of Gilbert and Master Gardeners to ensure a successful festival.
For more information about educational opportunities at Gilbert Public Schools, visit GilbertSchools.net/Teaching-Learning/Core-Academics.
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