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 Polk County:
- Bartow Elementary Academy – Amanda Bender
- Berkley Charter School – Deanna Brewer
- Daniel Jenkins Academy – Melanie Tucker
- Gause Academy – Herbert Maysonet
- Griffin Elementary – Laurie Croft
- James W. Sikes Elementary – Lara Price
- John Snively Elementary – Johnna Bryant
- Kathleen Senior High School – Beth Nance
- Loughman Oaks Elementary – Sabrina Hughes
- McKeel Academy Central – Leslie Taylor
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.