District’s Blue School Grant Program accepting applications now through Sept. 6
With a Blue School Grant, students from Sea Side Charter School–Beaches visited Guana Preserve and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park to test water quality, sein for fish and become more familiar with local variations in ecosystems they have been learning about in class.
With a Blue School Grant, students from Sea Side Charter School–Beaches visited Guana Preserve and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park to test water quality, sein for fish and become more familiar with local variations in ecosystems they have been learning about in class.
Up to $20,000 in funds budgeted
Now entering the fourth year of its Blue School Grant Program, the St. Johns River Water Management District anticipates offering up to $20,000 in grants for education projects that enhance student knowledge of Florida’s water resources through hands-on learning. The application period runs May 31–Sept. 6, giving teachers all summer to prepare their project proposals for the 2019–2020 grants.
“Blue School Grants are a great way for the district to support student development in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields with our partnering local schools,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “We have funded 33 projects in the last three funding cycles, and I’m eager to see the next round of interesting, imaginative project ideas that could inspire students to pursue a lifelong passion for science.”
Up to $2,000 per teacher per school will be awarded to middle and high school teachers to enhance student knowledge of Florida’s water resources. Public and charter school teachers within the district’s boundaries are eligible to apply.
Grants may be awarded in three areas: fresh water resources field study, water conserving landscape projects, or water conservation community/school awareness campaigns.
Examples of successful grant applications include:
- Water quality comparison of stormwater ponds on campus
- Field trip to Silver Springs for soil and water sampling
- Water unit in senior English class where students learned about water scarcity and created informative diagrams, flyers and presentations for the community
- Field trips to organic and conventional farms
- Seagrass restoration project
- Water conservation awareness posters and video
Teachers receiving grants will be notified on Oct. 1.
Information about criteria and deadlines and the online application can be found at www.sjrwmd.com/education/blueschool.
Learn more about district professionals in STEM careers here.