Local Teachers Awarded Grants for Environmental Programs

News Report

Fifty-two Hillsborough County teachers were awarded Splash! school grants through the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Mary Margaret Hull, district lead communications coordinator, attributes the effectiveness of the grant program in Hillsborough County to the strong partnership with Hillsborough County Schools.

Four school district staff serve as the district’s liaisons to teachers: Pam Cafery, middle school science supervisor; Karen Folsom, Nature’s Classroom administrator; Dan McFarland, high school supervisor; and Shana Tirado, elementary science supervisor. These liaisons helped get the word out to classroom teachers.

“The District recognizes the critical role STEM education — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — plays in preparing students for the future,” said Hull. “With the help of the grant program, students will learn the importance of protecting and conserving Florida’s water resources through STEM-based education projects.”

Local Hillsborough County awardees include:

•  Leigh Crosson, Colleen Bevis Elementary School, will receive $1,624. Students will maintain hydroponic and container gardens, comparing them to traditional gardening.

•  Kelly Jay, Newsome High School, will receive $1,155. Students will conduct soil, water and biodiversity studies of the Crystal Springs Preserve ecosystem.

• Georgianna Trowbridge, Riverview High School, will receive $2,450. Students will complete a biological survey of the Crystal Springs Preserve and assess the health of the Hillsborough River system.

This year 157 Splash! grants were awarded across the district’s 16‑county region to educate students on Florida’s water.

The goal of the Splash! school grant program is to provide teachers with funding to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources issues. Splash! school grants provide up to $3,000 per school on a reimbursement basis and are available to public, charter and private school teachers.

Past Splash! grant projects include student monitoring of local water quality, environmental field studies and outreach campaigns designed to encourage water conservation.

In addition to Splash! grant funding, the district offers free teacher professional development workshops and curriculum materials. The publications are correlated to Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Science Standards and can be ordered on the district’s website at WaterMatters.org/publications/.