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 Hillsborough County:
- Colson Elementary – Jackie MacLean
- Community Charter School of Excellence – Debra Gwyn
- Dowdell Middle Magnet School – Candice LaRussa
- Dr. Carter G. Woodson PK-8 – Candace Johnson Thornton
- Dr. Carter G. Woodson PK-8 – Maria Carvalho
- East Bay High School – Michelle Laycock
- George M. Steinbrenner High School – Timothy B Harris
- Heritage Elementary School – Susan Hopper
- Inez Doby Elementary School – Pamela Vasquez
- Jackson Elementary School – Elizabeth Damsel
- Lawton Chiles Elementary – Linda Rosen
- Learning Gate Community School – Adam Wolford
- Pizzo K-8 School – Alyssa Mormon
- Pride Elementary School – Lindsay Green
- Robinson High School – Tiffany Oliver
- South County Career Center – Ryan Lerch
- Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School – Michael Wiggs
- Terrace Community Middle School – Elizabeth Mila
- Turner Bartels K-8 – Jennifer Cogan
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.