Teachers interested in securing a Splash! mini-grant through the Southwest Florida Water Management District can begin applying online. The application is available on the District’s web site at WaterMatters.org/mini-grants.
This year the District improved the online application process and will no longer have printed applications.
“Last year we received 110 applications and only two of them were submitted on paper, the rest were all submitted online,” said Raina O’Neil, senior communications coordinator. “Going to an online-only application will save the District time and money.”
Improvements made to the online application include allowing applicants to save the application so they can go back and review and change portions before submitting it. Grant applications are due August 14, 2006.
The District’s Splash! mini-grants provide teachers with funding for classroom projects on water quality, water conservation, alternative sources, water supply, flood protection or watersheds. The goal of the mini-grant program is to promote hands-on water education that teaches students about their local watersheds and the water resources within them. Splash! mini-grants are available for public, private, charter and home school groups and provide up to $5,000 per group or school on a reimbursement basis only.
Last year the District awarded Splash! mini-grants to 108 educators, totaling more than $232,000. Past mini-grant projects include student monitoring of local water quality, the development of water-conserving gardens on school property, and outreach campaigns designed to promote awareness of water-conserving practices.
In addition to mini-grant funding, many free educational materials are available from the District. These publications are correlated to Florida’s Sunshine State Standards and can also be ordered on the District’s web site at www.WaterMatters.org/publications.
Contact Raina O’Neil, senior communications coordinator, at (800) 423-1476, ext. 4774 with questions about the Splash! mini-grant application process or the District’s other educational materials.