Apollo Beach Elementary - Ms. McDowell's 4th Grade

Apollo Beach Elementary is located in southern Hillsborough County on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay. The community is known for the many new homes and resorts being built along the bay shoreline. TECO’s Big Bend Electric Plant can be viewed from miles around. Students, concerned about the “smoke from the smokestack” at TECO is 99% steam. The process of generating power produces warm water which is released in the bay not far from their homes. This has created habitat for a favorite Florida marine mammal, the manatee. Ask these students how many have homes on Tampa Bay and the majority raise their hands. They are used to seeing manatees swim in their canals. Students are concerned for the safety of these peaceful creatures who often become victims of boating collisions. Suncoast Earth Force staffer, Jeremy Lake, TECO Environmental Compliance Manager, Stan Kroh, and Byron Burrows, Manager of Air Programs at TECO, were guest speakers who shed light on the issues that concern students the most. After researching policies and practices affecting the well-being of manatees, students created an educational presentation to raise awareness among community members and will present their information at the local Publix. They composed a letter to Governor Charlie Crist which details their hope for stricter policies to reduce boating speeds within manatee habitat. Watch as they explain their project at a recent Youth Summit.