MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

N014
The Florida Aquarium Watershed Education Initiative
Project Type Cooperative Funding
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Coastal Rivers, Pinellas-Anclote River, Withlacoochee River,
Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
The Florida Aquarium, Inc.
Project Manager HULL, MARY MARGARET
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
This Cooperative Funding Initiative (CFI) project will educate teachers and students about Florida's water resources
and natural environment. The Florida Aquarium provides a comprehensive water resources education initiative that
focuses on three distinct programs for elementary, middle and high school students and teachers. These programs
are outlined below and include: What's in Your Watershed? summer camp, Science Education at Sea (SEAS) teacher
training program and Regional Ocean Conference for Students (ROCS) workshop for teachers and students. While
the initiative primarily reaches students and teachers throughout Hillsborough County, it also draws schools from Polk,
Pinellas, Pasco and Manatee counties. What's in Your Watershed? is a summer camp program designed to teach
low-income, at-risk upper elementary and middle school students from local YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs in
Hillsborough County the importance of the Tampa Bay watershed. The camp provides an opportunity for youth to
engage in interactive role-playing to learn about watersheds, water quality, water conservation and habitat protection.
Throughout the program, each student takes part in three field explorations within the Tampa Bay watershed. SEAS is
a teacher education program that provides workshops for elementary, middle and high school teachers, focusing on
estuaries and incorporating the learning objectives of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. It allows teachers
to explore current and future environmental issues and challenges facing those resources. The ROCS workshop
component is an innovative addition to the project. It gives middle and high school students the opportunity to study
several major water quality issues associated with local watersheds. Students identify the issues and create action
plans that are achievable and beneficial for the environment. SWIM staff participate in this conference. The What's in
Your Watershed? program will be evaluated through a portfolio of student work, student and parent evaluation of the
program using a written survey, instructor evaluation of the program and student pre/post assessements. The SEAS
program evaluation will include a combination of pre/post assessments, workshop surveys and teacher journals. The
ROCS workshop will be evaluated through pre/post assessments.
Benefits
The cooperator estimates that the FY2010 program will reach 147 students and 80 teachers directly and 7,500
students indirectly. The FY2009 addition of ROCS strengthens the project. ROCS is an intensive workshop experience
for high school students, providing opportunities for them to learn about local issues and related science and then
create action plans that will result in positive environmental changes within their communities. The FY2010 project
includes a new "What's in Your Watershed?" summer camp that addresses the important priority of getting traditionally
underserved, inner-city youth outside exploring the Tampa Bay watershed. The program will give youth opportunities to
explore current environmental issues and to use critical thinking to develop strategies for addressing impacts on their
local watersheds. Parents are also included as part of the summer camp enrichment events.
Costs
The total cost of the FY2010 project is $44,741, with the District contributing $21,402 (Alafia River $5,174;
Hillsborough River $10,686; Coastal Rivers $1,108; Pinellas-Anclote River $1,109; Withlacoochee River $1,109;
Peace River $1,108; Manasota $1,108). The dollar amount allocated per basin is determined by the number of
participants projected to participate in the programming from each basin. District funding supports a summer camp,
teacher training programs and a workshop for teachers and students. The program is projected to reach 147 students
and 80 teachers directly and 7,500 students indirectly at a cost to the District of $2.77 per person. Budget lines below
include costs for staff to manage the project.
Additional Information
The total FY2009 project cost was $42,944, with the District contributing $21,194 (Alafia River $5,273; Hillsborough
River $5,274; Northwest Hillsborough $5,273; Coastal Rivers $1,054; Pinellas-Anclote River $1,056; Withlacoochee
River $1,154; Peace River $1,055; Manasota $1,055). Basin budget breakdowns were established based on a list of
program participants provided by the cooperator. The District funded a summer camp, teacher training programs and
a workshop for teachers and students. This program was projected to reach 140 students and 79 teachers directly
and 6,000 students indirectly at a cost to the District of $3.53 per person.
021 - Manasota Basin 328