Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) is partnering with Williams Elementary School to educate students about stormwater pollution.  The project, led by teacher Pam Latsko with the assistance of ACEPD's Stacie Greco, aims to engage forty, third grade students in a yearlong, project-based service learning study in which stormwater ponds will be monitored.

Students will:  

1. Incorporate technology, language arts, and social studies into their scientific study
2. Evaluate three different stormwater ponds and draw conclusions about pollution and pond health 
3. Engage in service learning

By engaging in a monitoring study of three stormwater ponds in Alachua County, students will apply their knowledge to assess the health of the ponds and to discover how their actions can affect water quality.  The classes will also participate in a volunteer clean-up event at the stormwater pond most affected by trash.  The students will present their findings to ACEPD staff and additional partners and contributors at the end of the school year.

 For more information, contact Stacie Greco, Alachua County Environmental Protection Department at 352-264-6829 or email at sgreco@alachuacounty.us.