McAllen, TX — The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), in partnership with McAllen Public Utility, invites the community to celebrate World Water Day on Sunday, March 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the museum. The afternoon will feature hands-on activities, demonstrations, and conversations focused on the importance of water and the role it plays in communities around the world. Admission is free thanks to the support of McAllen Public Utility (MPU).
The event begins with the Grateful for Water community exhibit reception from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Discovery Pavilion, welcoming guests and highlighting the importance of water stewardship.
A featured panel discussion about the future of water in McAllen will start at 2:30 p.m. and will include Mark Vega, General Manager of McAllen Public Utility, Jim Darling, Chairman of the Region M Rio Grande Regional Water Planning Group, and Samantha Colunga, Program Specialist with the Texas Water Resources Institute. “Diversifying MPU’s Water Portfolio” will be moderated by Dr. Sandy Hansmann, Assistant Provost for the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. Panelists will discuss water planning, conservation strategies, and the future of McAllen’s water resources, including efforts to diversify the city’s water portfolio through groundwater desalination as the community continues to grow.
Children explore Water Journey at the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), an interactive exhibit tracing water from its source through cleaning, distribution, and conservation, a fitting celebration of World Water Day in McAllen.
Through interactive experiences and educational programming, visitors at IMAS will explore water conservation, water access, and the science behind water systems that sustain communities.
Hands-on learning stations will include MPU Water Education demonstrations and a Native Drought Resistant Planting Station in the MPU BioZone, where guests can learn about sustainable landscaping practices. In the Ann Moore Art Studio, participants can create posters during the Where the Water Flows, Equality Grows activity, reflecting on the global importance of access to clean water.
Additional activities include the Water Journey Exhibit, interactive Water Bingo, and opportunities to meet with lab technicians, engineers, and wastewater specialists from McAllen Public Utility.
Outside in the courtyard, guests can participate in the Water Walk Challenge, an interactive activity that simulates the journey many people, particularly women and girls, take each day to collect water. Participants will carry small containers across a set distance to better understand the daily realities faced by millions around the world.
Visitors can also experience water-themed videos on the museum’s Science On a Sphere® (SOS), providing a visual exploration of global water systems and environmental patterns.
Visitors of all ages are encouraged to join this interactive celebration, explore the many water-themed activities, and learn how small actions can make a big difference in conserving and protecting this vital resource.
Attendees learn about water conservation during last year’s World Water Day celebration at IMAS.
