The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) awarded $119,000 in grants to 65 schools within the District as part of the Splash! school grant program. The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.
Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. Each school district allocates a portion of their annual youth education funding provided by the District to support the Splash! grants in their county.
The District awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in its northern region:
- Brooksville Elementary – Rachel Vascellaro
- Bushnell Elementary – Tiffany Ward
- Crystal River Middle School – Julie Bolton, Mary Branch and Maurisa Applegate
- Dunnellon Elementary – Nancy Garvin and Mary Blanchette
- Gulf Coast Academy – Joseph Gatti
- Hernando Elementary School – Danita Consol
- Lake Panasoffkee Elementary – Brittny Sanders
- Lecanto High School – Meg Richardson
- South Sumter Middle School – Michelle Alberto
- South Sumter High School – Thomas Allison
- Sparr Elementary – Rachel Keene
- Williston Elementary School – Sarah Freeman
Grants are available for freshwater resources field studies, water-conserving garden projects, community or school awareness campaigns and on-site workshops. Last year’s Splash! grants brought water resources education to nearly 10,487 students throughout the District. For more information, please visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.