District awards Blue School Grants to 14 projects focused on water resource education

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SJRWMD logo on a blue background

Four thousand District students to benefit in sixth year of hands-on program.

PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 30, 2021 — Thirteen schools and 14 classroom projects 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 exciting to see interest in the Blue School Grant Program continue to grow,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Mike Register. “I commend all of 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 annually in financial support to teachers working to promote water resource protection through hands-on learning opportunities.

Grants of up to $2,000 per teacher are awarded for a range of 6–12th 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.

Schools receiving 2021–22 Blue School Grant funds are:

  • A Philip Randolph Academies (Duval) for a water garden with STEM learning goals.
  • Bartram Trail High School (St. Johns) to use photography of District lands to showcase the protection of water and land conservation.
  • Burns Science and Technology Charter School (Volusia) for a water resources and school water conservation awareness project.
  • Creekside High School (St. Johns) for a water resources school awareness project.
  • Crescent City Jr/Sr High School (Putnam) for two water resources field studies.
  • Flagler Palm Coast High School (Flagler County) for a water resources and school awareness project.
  • Lakeview Middle School (Orange) for a water quality field study.
  • Ponte Vedra High School (St. Johns) for a water quality field study.
  • Sculptor Charter (Brevard) for a water-conserving landscape project.
  • South Alternative Learning Center (Brevard) for a water-conserving landscape project.
  • Johns Technical High School (St. Johns) for a water-conserving landscape project and water resources field study.
  • Teague Middle School (Seminole) for a water resources school awareness project.
  • Wekiva High School (Orange) for a water-conserving garden with STEM learning goals.

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