By Abdullahi Lukman
Students at a public secondary school in Monterrey, Mexico, have been named among the 33 global finalists for the 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize after developing solar-powered machines that extract drinking water from the air.
The project emerged in response to Monterrey’s severe water crisis in 2022, when prolonged drought, rising demand and aging infrastructure left millions without reliable access to tap water.
Reservoirs supplying the metropolitan area fell to critically low levels, water use was rationed, and many neighbourhoods depended on tanker trucks for daily supplies.
Amid the disruption, students in their third year at Escuela Secundaria Técnica No. 117 decided to design a solution that could operate independently of existing water systems.
Working under the guidance of their teacher, Rogelio Monreal Moreno, they built modular “hydrostations” that use solar energy and Peltier technology to condense moisture from humid air into clean, potable water.
The devices now supply water for school gardens, drinking fountains and small food-growing units on campus.
Beyond the technology itself, the students developed an educational framework known as “AD COGNIS,” turning the school into a hands-on laboratory for science, sustainability and community engagement.
Through digital platforms and leadership programmes, students monitor data, share progress and build skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, alongside teamwork and civic responsibility.
According to Monreal Moreno, the initiative shifted students from passive learning to active problem-solving rooted in real community needs.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, established in 2008, recognises innovative solutions in areas including water, energy, food and climate action. This year’s competition attracted entries from 173 countries, with finalists competing for funding of up to $150,000.
In the Global High Schools category, the Monterrey students face competition from large-scale projects across Africa and Asia.
Judges noted that the Mexican entry stands out for combining a practical water solution with a broader model for environmental education and youth leadership.
The winners will be announced on January 13, 2026, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Regardless of the outcome, the students plan to expand the project by sharing open-source designs with other schools, aiming to promote water self-sufficiency and climate resilience in vulnerable communities.
