Young Talents from Tocantins Shine in the International Stage of “The Water We Want” Award

Students from Tocantins have reached international recognition by participating in the 6th edition of the Youth Award “The Water We Want,” a contest that values creativity and youth engagement in environmental awareness. The competition includes categories such as poetry, drawings, videos, and animations, all showcased in the 6th Digital Exhibition “The Water We Want – 2025.”

Representing Brazil, 11-year-olds Ana Julya Peres Pinheiro and Raul César Pereira Tavares, students in the 6th grade at Colégio Estadual Adá de Assis Teixeira (CEAAT) in Goiatins, Tocantins, stood out in the “Poetry Category” with their poem titled “Little Traveling Drop.” Their work highlights the importance of conscious water use and the preservation of natural resources—an urgent message for the future of our planet.

“Little Traveling Drop”: A Call to Reflect

The poem, written with simplicity and sensitivity, tells the story of a drop of water experiencing pollution and the impact of human actions. The verses describe a drop that once played in the sky and helped clean animals, but later becomes contaminated and ashamed upon seeing polluted rivers and seas. The poem calls on humans to value water, urging it to “be the seed and the grain, in the serene night,” awakening awareness and responsibility.

Here is an excerpt from the poem:

“Little drop of water,
Playing in the sky.
Descended to Earth,
That man planted.”

The poetic work by these young students is not only an artistic effort but also an educational and social one. Ana Julya and Raul César shared that their creative process was inspired by classroom research using drawings, book cutouts, and environmental news reports. They expressed joy when their poem was selected for the international phase of the award.

Recognition and Educational Impact in Tocantins

The award is promoted by the Museum of Brazilian Waters in partnership with the Global Network of Water Museums (Wamu-net). In Tocantins, the contest was publicized by the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT) through the Museum of Brazilian Waters, coordinated by Professor Liliana Naval.

Dr. Leandro Lima Carvalho, a professor involved in the project, highlighted the contest’s importance for the school community and for fostering student protagonism: “This contest’s result primarily celebrated the students’ potential as outstanding representatives both nationally and internationally, something unprecedented in the history of our school. We are very proud that our community is embracing a new teaching-learning system that supports an evolving educational reality focused on student protagonism.”

Winners at the international level will receive a monetary prize of 250 euros and a certificate signed by the president and executive director of the Global Network of Water Museums, further reinforcing the contest’s role in encouraging environmental education.

Follow the work of the Museum of Brazilian Waters:
Instagram: Museu das Águas Brasileiras

Secretary of Education of Tocantins:
Instagram: Seduc Tocantins

Profile of Professor Leandro Lima Carvalho:
Instagram: Leandro Lima Carvalho