District awards Blue School Grants to 14 schools for water resource education

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 15, 2020 — Fourteen schools in eight counties will receive Blue School Grant funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District for hands-on projects to enhance student development in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related topics and increase understanding of Florida’s water resources.

“It’s inspiring to see teachers’ interest in the Blue School Grant Program continue to grow,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “I commend all these educators for supporting water resource education and STEM, and I look forward to seeing their Blue School Grant-funded projects move forward in the months ahead.”

The Blue School Grant program offers a total of $20,000 in financial support to teachers working to promote water resource protection through hands-on learning opportunities.

The Blue School Grant Program has funded 61 projects since its beginning five years ago. A total of $87,500 has been awarded to 49 schools throughout the District.

Grants of up to $2,000 per teacher are awarded for a range of 6–12^th grade educational programs to enhance student knowledge of Florida’s water resources. Projects may include water conservation garden projects, water conservation classroom/community awareness projects and freshwater resources educational programs.

Vanguard High School students studied water quality sampling at St. Johns River Water Management District headquarters through a Blue School Grant in a previous round of funding.

Schools receiving 2020–21 Blue School Grant funds are:

• Philip Randolph, Duval County, for a water-conserving landscape project
• Clay High School, Clay County, for a water resources field study
• Crescent City High School, Putnam County, for a water resources field study
• David C. Hinson Middle School, Volusia County, for a water resources field study
• Flagler Palm Coast High School, Flagler County, for a water resources and school awareness project
• Freedom Crossing Academy, St. Johns County, for a water-conserving landscape project
• Keystone Heights Jr./Sr. High School, Clay County, for a water-conserving landscape project
• New Smyrna Beach High School, Volusia County, for a water resources field study
• Oak Hill Academy, Duval County, for a water resources school awareness project
• Palm View Academy, St. Johns County, for a water-conserving landscape project
• Ridgeview High School, Clay County, for a water-conserving landscape project
• Sculptor Charter, Brevard County, for a water-conserving landscape project
• Augustine High School, St. Johns County, for a water-conserving landscape project
• Vanguard High School, Marion County, for a water resources field study

For information about Blue School Grants, visit the District’s website at www.sjrwmd.com/education/blue-school.