Blue School Grants bring hands-on science to local classrooms

July 31, 2025

Students from Wedgefield School in Orange County visited 4Roots Farm to learn how its sustainable agricultural practices help conserve water and protect the environment—an experience made possible through the Blue School Grant Program.

Press release from the St. Johns River Water Management District

APOPKA, Fla. — The St. Johns River Water Management District (District) is offering up to $60,000 in Blue School Grant funding for the 2025-2026 school year. The grants will support hands-on learning in K-12 public and charter schools throughout the District.

Individual grants of up to $3,000 per teacher or school are available to fund water-focused STEM curriculum, field trips, or projects such as water quality testing, aquaponics, conservation gardens, and watershed studies. The program helps students connect classroom learning to real-world environmental concepts, inspiring them to explore and protect Florida’s water resources.

“Blue School Grants give students the opportunity to step outside the classroom and become scientists, observers, and stewards of Florida’s environment,” said Ali Pressel, education and outreach coordinator for the District. “It’s amazing to see how quickly their confidence and curiosity grow when they realize they can make a real difference in their local ecosystems.”

The application period for the 2025–2026 Blue School Grant cycle opens on Aug. 1 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 21. For a full list of application requirements, instructions and key dates, visit www.sjrwmd.com/education/blue-school.

Since 2016, the Blue School Grant program has funded 115 projects, supported 85 schools, and reached more than 15,550 students. These classroom-to-field experiences give students the opportunity to apply science skills while learning how their actions impact natural systems.