Five Pasco County elementary schools will receive up to $3,000 each for hands-on water education projects through the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Splash! grant program.

The district announced Oct. 21 that it awarded $113,735 in Splash! grants to 56 educators across its region. The program funds science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities focused on freshwater resources for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The five Pasco County recipients and their lead teachers are:

  • Centennial Elementary School — Sarah Street
  • Cypress Elementary School — Breanne Wicklein
  • Deer Park Elementary School — Joenell Nolf
  • Mary Giella Elementary School in Spring Hill — Amy Torre
  • Shady Hills Elementary School — Ashleigh Johnson

The grants can fund classroom projects covering water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarian ecosystems, water quality, and water supply and conservation, according to the district's Splash! program page. Each county's school district allocates a portion of annual youth education funding from the water management district to support the grants locally. Eligible applications are placed in a randomized lottery to receive funds.

Mary Giella Elementary has drawn other support this year. Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano's offices delivered $1,500 to the school's Assist, Believe & Care (ABC) program over the summer, as Tampa Bay Beacons reported in September. Principal Tracy Bonnett wrote in a thank-you letter that the donations had "made a meaningful impact on our students."

The Splash! program is not new to Pasco. The water management district awarded $113,138 to 52 educators in a previous grant cycle. Teachers interested in future rounds can find application details at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.