The annual H2Awesome! virtual conference returns this year with an eclectic lineup of speakers presenting the many ways we interact with water.
Running until Earth Day (April 22, 2025), the theme of this year’s H2Awesome! is “Water is Unwavering” and over 1,200 students have registered for the month-long conference.
“Water sustains life, connects communities, shapes ecosystems, and fuels industries. It is powerful, resilient, and constant, yet vulnerable to human impact,” said Adam Barnard, Program Leader Science/Sustainability and Stem at Grant Evans Education Centre.
“Throughout this conference, we will dive into critical discussions on sustainable water use, conservation, and innovation. From the hidden flow of groundwater to the vast currents of our oceans, we will examine how our choices influence water quality, availability, and the health of the planet.”
Speakers at the 2025 H2Awesome! conference include Gemma Romano and Caroline Johnson from the Canadian charity Relay Education, author and filmmaker Brian Young, Nikolas Maclean from Water Rangers, and Senior Planner and local musician Jeremy Shute. The full schedule of speakers is below.
March 25 - Caroline Johnson, Relay Education (French)
March 27 - Gemma Romano. Relay Education
April 2 - Nikolas Maclean, Water Rangers
April 7 - Brian Young, Author & Filmmaker
April 8 - Jim Baxter, P.Eng., Groundwater Resource Engineer
April 9 - Christopher Scott, Assistant Park Superintendent for Voyageur Provincial Park (French)
April 10 - Lisa Young, P.Eng., PhD, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
April 15 - Rebecca Hardman, Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance
April 16 - Jeremy Shute, M.A., RPP, Senior Planner & Musician
All presentations start at 9:15 a.m. and will be streamed live on the H2Awesome! YouTube channel.
Students will also engage in additional activities around engineer design, Indigenous Knowledges, Math, Science and Social Studies.
The H2Awesome! conference is a joint effort between the Upper Grand District School Board, the Wellington Catholic District School Board, and the City of Guelph.