SANFORD, Fla. – Galileo School for Gifted Learning’s Skyway campus is making waves with a unique water science project funded by the Blue School Grant from St. John’s River Water Management District.
Samantha Patterson, assistant principal at Galileo, said the grant allowed last year’s fourth and fifth graders to dive deep into the water crisis, starting with Flint, Michigan’s well-documented struggles.
“We studied the water crisis in Detroit and Flint, learning how to create water filters and test water sources,” Patterson said. “It’s a skill that could prepare them for emergencies when clean water isn’t accessible.”
The project began with classroom lessons and culminated in a field trip to Blue Spring State Park, where students collected water samples and explored the natural environment.
Kelly Hicks, a fifth-grade math and science teacher, said the hands-on activities energized her students.
“They built filtration systems using water bottles, charcoal, sand, rocks, and coffee filters,” Hicks said. “They tested water from around the school, including some creative sources like muddy puddles and even toilets.”
The students were surprised by how well the filters worked, with muddy water becoming clear after filtration.
“It was amazing for them to see the scientific method in action and relate it to real-world issues like the Flint water crisis,” Hicks said.
Sixth grader McKenna Bishop, who participated last year, said the project opened her eyes.
“Learning about Flint was scary but important,” Bishop said. “We saw how water that looks clean might not be safe, and how people had to use bottled water for everything.”
The grant, which provides up to $3,000 per project, helps schools fund materials, field trips, and equipment without burdening families financially.
Patterson said the funding was a “difference maker” for the school’s STEM-focused curriculum. She said the field trip probably wouldn’t have happened without the grant.
“Project-based learning can be expensive, especially for families with multiple kids,” she said. “This grant allowed us to offer a meaningful experience to about 200 students.”
Erin Reichel, Education and Outreach Coordinator for St. John’s River Water Management District, explained the grant’s mission.
“We want to connect students with water and empower teachers to bring hands-on learning to life,” Reichel said. “Our hope is that students develop an appreciation for water as a vital natural resource and become water stewards.”
Applications for this year’s Blue School Grant opened August 1 and run through September 21. Educators in the district’s 18 counties are encouraged to apply.
Patterson is already writing this years application. She hopes to focus this year’s project more locally, possibly studying Lake Monroe and Central Florida’s water challenges.
“We want to bring the project home to Florida and address issues relevant to our community,” she said.
With the new school year upon us, Galileo’s teachers are busy planning engaging lessons that inspire curiosity and stewardship.
“It’s exciting to see students take control of their learning and connect classroom science to the world around them,” Patterson said.