Students at eight Plant City schools are ready to dip their toes into the wet and wild world of education.
The schools each received up to $3,000 as part of South Florida Water Management District’s Splash! program. Classes plan to use the funds for everything from buying books about water conservation and supply to taking trips to Crystal Springs Preserve and Sweetwater Organic Farm.
With its $2,999 grant, Jackson Elementary gifted teacher Deborah Flock plans to take her fourth-grade classes and one third-grade class to tour the Plant City water treatment facility to learn how wastewater can affect freshwater resources. The students also will learn about wetland habitats and test the water quality on a field trip to Walden Lake. The grant also helps bring in a University of Florida traveling field trip on aquatic animals.
“The goal is to have all the students at Jackson learn about water and how valuable of a resource it is,” Flock said.
Although only about 110 kids will be able to go on the field trips, the grant helps all the students at Jackson Elementary learn about water. Since the school year started, students have been working on educational posters that are now displayed on the walls of the school hallways. They use water-themed books bought from grant money in the past four years the school has received Splash!
The students also are making brochures and creating displays which they will present at the annual Water Night in May. In the past, the students also have taken field trips to Plant City Hall and the Bruton Memorial Library to hand out their brochures.
“This is really my passion,” Flock said. “It’s important for all citizens to learn about the water resources. It’s our job at school to educate the students who will become future citizens about water and how precious it is.”
The projects funded from Splash! during the 2011-2012 school year have educated about 80,000 students. The grant is offered up to $3,000 per school and available to public school teachers, pre-K through 12. This year, 94 Splash! grants were awarded across the district’s 16-county region. In Hillsborough County, 34 schools were awarded.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
PLANT CITY RECIPIENTS
Bailey Elementary
REWARD: $3,000
TEACHER: Carol Mayo
PROJECT: Students will participate in activities centered on the water cycle, water pollution and aquifer recharge while on a field trip to Sweetwater Organic Farm.
Durant High
REWARD: $850
TEACHER: Kyla DonLevy
PROJECT: Students will study freshwater systems, watersheds and water quality while visiting the Swamp Head River, the Hillsborough River and Crystal Springs.
Jackson Elementary
REWARD: $2,999
TEACHER: Deborah Flock
PROJECT: Students will tour a water treatment facility to learn how wastewater can affect freshwater resources. Students also will study wetland habitats and test water quality on a field trip to Walden Lake.
Knights Elementary
REWARD: $1,040
TEACHER: Michele Simcox
PROJECT: Students will take a field trip to Cockroach Bay to test the water quality and search for living organisms in the water. They will learn the importance of healthy water and ecosystems.
Lincoln Elementary Magnet
REWARD: $263
TEACHER: Cynthia Doyle
PROJECT: Through water-related books and classroom resources, students will learn water is a limited resource and the importance of water conservation. Students will make brochures to share with others.
Springhead Elementary
REWARD: $1,170
TEACHER: Amy Stockard
PROJECT: Students will learn ways to minimize the negative effects of landscaping and agriculture on Florida’s water supply and water quality. Students will compare water saved through hydroponic versus traditional gardening methods.
Strawberry Crest High
REWARD: $1,634
TEACHER: Andria Keene
PROJECT: Students will visit the Florida Aquarium and learn about rivers and estuaries while identifying aquatic species and testing water. Students also will participate in a community service-learning project to establish oyster bars with Tampa Bay Watch.
Tomlin Middle
REWARD: $1,384
TEACHER: Emily Petrilli
PROJECT: Students will visit Crystal Springs Preserve to test water quality and explore aquatic species. Students will also perform an invasive species clean-up along the Hillsborough River.