Welcome to Polk County Utilities Kids and Teachers website. Here you will find grant information and free resources to help Polk County students learn about saving water. There are also grants for teachers to help students learn about recycling, and reducing waste by participating in hands-on science, math and environmental projects.
Polk County Utilities staff is available to visit your classroom to speak on topics of water conservation and reclaimed water systems. To obtain a speaker from Polk County Utilities for a community organization, school or group: Please contact 863-298-4236 or Email JacquelineHollister@polk-county.net.
Please note that scheduling is based on staff availability.
Kids' Korner
Polk County Utilities' Annual Water Conservation Art Contest for Polk County Students - Grades K-12
Students are encouraged to create a Poster Depicting a Water Conservation Theme in Slogan Form, Drawing Form, or Both. Original Artwork is Encouraged.
Submissions should be no larger than 8 1/2" x 11" in size and should be formatted horizontally (landscape). See Art Contest Guidelines link below for detailed instructions.
Some entries will be chosen for the American Water Works Association "Drop Savers" Poster Design Contest in March, 2014. Polk County reserves the right to refuse to display any entry determined to be unsuitable at our discretion.
Rosette ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each of the thirteen grade categories, all others receive participation ribbons.
Entry Deadline Regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) Monday - Friday no later than Monday, April 22, 2013 (for the 2014 calendar)!
Deliver entries to Polk County Utilities - 1011 Jim Keene Blvd. (SR 540), Winter Haven, FL 33880 Attention: Art Contest
Artwork will be displayed at Board of County Commissioners Neil Combee Administration Building, 330 W. Church Street, Bartow from May 6 through May 17, 2013.
View or download the 2013 Calendar here:
For questions or information, call Jacqueline Hollister at 863-298-4236 or 1-800-301-6039
Teachers Educational Material
South Florida Water Management District Teaching Aids and Resources
SW Florida Water Management District Teachers Classroom Resource Kits
SW Florida Water Management District Presents: Exploring Our Wonderful Wetlands
National Environmental Education Foundation National Environmental Education Week
Green Teacher Education for Planet Earth - Green Teacher is a magazine that helps youth educators enhance environmental and global education inside and outside of schools. Fifty pages of ideas and activities, four times a year.
Grants For Teachers
There are grants (funding opportunities) available to teachers in Polk County for classroom projects on conservation. These external links are provided as a service to teachers in Polk County and does not constitute an endoresement by Polk County. Here are Grant Listings available to Florida teachers:
Teachers Count - Grants available for classroom projects
Teachers Network - National science grants for teachers
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American Honda Foundation - Grants of $20,000 - $60,000 are offered for youth education specifically in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, environmental, job training and literacy education.
Grant proposals are reviewed four times a year.
DEADLINE: February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1
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Captain Planet Foundation- Grants up to $2,500 are offered to teachers to enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world through learning experiences that engage them in active, hands-on projects to improve the environment in their schools and communities.
Grant proposals are reviewed 3 times a year.
DEADLINE: May 31, September 30, December 31
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Do Something Grants- Grants up to $500.00 are offered to persons 25 years old or under to start a sustainable community action project or program.
DEADLINE: None - Do Something Seed Grant $500.00 every week to help young people
DEADLINE: 11:59 P.M. ET on the last day of every month up to $250.00 for Do Something Club Grants
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The National Educational Foundation (NEA) - Grants of $5,000 are offered to public school teachers for engaging students in critical thinking and problem solving (any subject area).
Grants proposals are reviewed three times a year.
DEADLINE: February 1, June 1, October 15
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National Geographic Young Explorers - Grants of $2,000 - $5,000 offered to individuals (including teachers) for age range of 18 - 25 to pursue research, conservation, and exploration related projects.
DEADLINE: Applications accepted year round
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Toshiba America Foundation - Grants for Grades K - 5 Improving Math and Science Instruction in Your Classroom - Applications Due October 1st Each Year
Do you teach in an elementary school classroom?
Do you have an idea for improving math or science instruction in your classroom?
What do you need to make learning math and science fun for your students?
What instructional items or project materials are on your wish list?
K-5 grade teachers are invited to use Toshiba America Foundation's short application form to describe a set of lessons or a hands-on project they would like to introduce in their own classrooms. With the Toshiba America Foundation grant, elementary teachers bring their best new teaching ideas to life. LEARN MORE
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Here are suggested educational activities based on the National Science Education Standards marked with the appropriate grade level.
Kids Computer Games and Activities Links
Some games require downloading free software such as Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Shockwave Player, or Java.
Florida Kid's Page - Activities related to conserving Florida's Environment. Sponsored by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Water Sense - Play a game similar to Pac-Man where you race around a mze answering questions about ways to save water. Sponsored by EPA
Water Matters - Learn about Saving Water and Where Our Drinking Water Comes from. Take the Watershed Pledge and get a Free Wristband. Sponsored by Southwest Florida Water Mangement District
Kids Zone - Water Wizard Flash Games. Sponsored by North Wales Water Authority
The Story of Drinking Water Sponsored by American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Environmental Educaiton for Kids Sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Games, Videos and Quizzes about Water, Wastewater, Recycling, Energy and the Environment. Sponsored by the EPA
Environmental Resources for Kids Links, Infographic and Kids Page on Recycling
Helpful and Related Links: Meetings and Events, Free Publications
SW Florida Water Management District Meetings and Events Calendar
SW Florida Water Management District Free Publications
For Infomration on National Environmental Education Foundation