Investing in education, Blue School Grants impacts 20 Florida schools

PALATKA, Fla., Oct. 13, 2023 — The St. Johns River Water Management District is providing nearly $40,000 in grants to 20 schools within its 18-county region through the Blue School Grants program. The program provides up to $3,000 per teacher to support education on Florida’s freshwater and estuarine systems, focusing on students in kindergarten through 12th grades.

“This year, we’re thrilled to award nearly double the funding to our dedicated teachers in the District! This means enhanced resources for classrooms, allowing for a deeper exploration of Florida’s water resources,” said the St. Johns River Water Management District Education and Outreach Coordinator Laura La Beur. “It’s a unique opportunity that encourages educators to integrate water-related topics into their curriculum, inspiring students beyond the confines of the classroom.”

Since its inception eight years ago, the program has funded nearly 100 projects and educated over 12,000 students about Florida’s water resources and natural ecosystems. Blue School Grants promote practical learning through STEM activities (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and foster engagement within the broader school community.

Students from Baldwin Middle School in Duval County were awarded a grant last year to create a water conservation garden.

The following schools received funding this year:

• Brevard County
  • Atlantis Elementary
  • Sabal Elementary
  • Tropical Elementary School
• Clay County
  • Oakleaf High School
• Duval County
  • James Weldon Johnson Middle School
  • Mandarin Oaks Elementary
  • Venetia Elementary
• Indian River County
  • Gifford Middle School
  • Storm Grove Middle School
• Lake County
  • Cecil E. Grey Middle School
• Orange County
  • University High School
  • Wekiva High School
  • Wolf Lake Middle School
• Putnam County
  • Crescent City Jr./Sr. High School
• St. Johns County
  • Gamble Rogers Middle School
  • Ponte Vedra High School
• Seminole County
  • Oviedo High School
  • Tuskawilla Middle School
• Volusia County
  • Burns Science and Technology Charter School
  • Seabreeze High School

Among the projects funded this year:

• Seabreeze High School will be trying to designate and defend a priority watershed, providing the students with hands-on experience in the process. This includes utilizing the District’s data, such as the minimum flows and levels data, along with ArcGIS Online. The students will present their designation and management plan to the city of Daytona Beach and Volusia County.
• University High School introduces the H2O Pipeline Classroom to Career, a vocational program aimed at training high school seniors to become Class C water or wastewater treatment operators. The focus for the 2023–2024 academic year will be on potable drinking water operations, providing students with invaluable practical skills and paid apprenticeships.
• Wekiva High School’s “Wekiva Saltwater Aquaponics and Red Mangrove Restoration” project establishes the creation of a saltwater recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) to cultivate red mangroves. This initiative allows students to delve deeper into aquaponics, exploring how salt water can be harnessed to create a thriving mangrove ecosystem, ultimately teaching lessons on water conservation and sustainable farming.

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