Fourth and fifth graders at Lutz K-8 School recently toured the school with clipboards in hands. Their mission: to find ways to save water in the school.
The classroom project was part of a Splash! grant the school received from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) to help students learn how to protect water resources through a variety of ways like water conservation.
On this day, students conducted a water audit of the school to improve water efficiency on campus. They inspected areas like sinks, toilets and air conditioning units to find leaks or ways to reduce inefficient water use.
Fourth and fifth grade teacher Nicole Baldwin said, “Overall, the Splash! grant brought our curriculum to life, and we are truly thankful to be chosen for it! It bridged the gap between textbook learning and real-world application, making water conservation meaningful, memorable, and deeply personal for my students.”
The school held other events that focused on conservation, watershed protection and water quality monitoring. Students participated in water quality testing labs and water conservation challenges and completed the school water audit.
The school also hosted a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) night. The event featured a dedicated Water Discovery Zone with interactive activities and engaging stations designed to promote water conservation awareness among both the students and their families. Stations featured water testing, a watershed runoff model, native plant demonstrations, conservation challenges and a water promise pledge.
Through these activities, students gained meaningful, real‑world insight into the importance of protecting our water resources. Baldwin added, “My students are our future, and we rely on them to stay aware and make choices that benefit all of us.”
The District’s Splash! grant program awards up to $3,000 per school (K-12) to offer educational programs that enhance students’ knowledge of freshwater resources. To get more information, visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.