Anderson County Soil and Water Conservation District

Youth Education Programs and Yearly Scholarships/Contests

Education is a huge part of what we do here at ASWCD! These programs are designed to help students learn about environmental stewardship and how they can make a difference in their own county!
Our Education and Outreach Coordinator is available to present classroom conservation programs for schools and youth groups on a limited basis. All programs are correlated with SC Science Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core Standards and tailored to each grade level.
Guidelines
  • Programs are typically presented to one class at a time (max 25 students) with up to 3 presentation/classes at the same school in one day.
  • We love being outside! If you have an outdoor classroom, it is preferred over indoors - but this is not a requirement.
  • Most of our programs are 30-60 minute presentations depending on the topic.
  • Programs are available on first-come, first-serve basis and educator's calendars fill up quickly. Please contact us ASAP if you are interested in a program at your school.
  • These programs are FREE with no cost to the school or youth group.

Available Programs

K-12th Grade

All programs are aligned to the Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.

Please email our Education and Outreach Coordinator, Anaston Porter, to schedule a class program or to get more details on each program.

Click Here to see descriptions of each program

Elementary School (K - 3rd)(4th - 5th)

  • The Incredible Journey (Project WET)

  • Blue Planet (Project WET)

  • "Hey, Water" Story Time Lesson

  • What is Soil?

  • Habitracks!

  • Friends of the Forest

Middle School (6th - 8th)

  • The Incredible Journey

  • Blue Planet

  • What is Soil?

  • Habitracks!

  • Careers in Agriculture and Soil/Water Conservation

High School Programs (9th - 12th)

  • Careers in Agriculture and Soil/Water Conservation

  • Wildlife Research

  • Stream Health: Adopt-A-Stream Introduction

Click below to learn more about the curriculum we use!

  • project wet

    The total amount of water on Earth cannot be increased, but we can learn to protect, conserve and better manage the water resources available to us. Dive in with water activities and lessons!

    Learn more here.

  • project wild

    The goal of Project WILD is to assist students of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment to result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment.

    Learn more here.

  • project learning tree

    PLT advances environmental literacy and promotes stewardship through excellence in environmental education, professional development, and curriculum resources that use trees and forests as windows on the world.

    Learn more here.

2024 CONTESTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year we host a county wide school contest K-12th grade as well as two scholarships for high school seniors. Each winner will be award a certificate and a monetary prize that can be presented at your end of year awards day or celebration!
Our 2024 theme is "May The Forest Be With You, Always"
Contests will be open from January 1st - March 22nd 2024


Deadline for all contest entries is March 22nd, 2024

Information packets have been mailed out to all schools in Anderson County (check with your agriculture, STEM, or science teacher for copies of each contest guidelines)

K-4th Grade

Bulletin board contest

Bulletin board projects are a class effort and should include work of all students in the class. School groups such as science clubs, environmental clubs, or other after school programs are welcome to compete. There is no restriction on the size of the bulletin board.

Deadline: March 22nd, 2024

9-12th Grade

photo contest

Each participant may enter only one photo. Photos will be judged on the following criteria: effectiveness of conveying theme, composition, and originality. Photos must be the original work of the individual student, should be taken in Anderson County, and the photographer must reside in Anderson County.

Deadline: March 22nd, 2024

5-8th Grade

essay contest

Essays are the original work of the individual student and should be 500-750 words in length. Essays may be typed or neatly handwritten on the front side of the paper only. Only legible essays will be considered. Each essay should have the provided cover letter attached to the front, students' names should not appear on the essay itself. Each teacher must select ONLY the three best essays in his/her class for judging.

Deadline: March 22nd, 2024

High School Seniors

mcphail-major scholarship

We are proud to announce ASWCD will award a $1000 scholarship in memory of Mr. Don McPhail and a $1000 scholarship in memory of Mr. Freddy Major. We will choose two (2) Anderson County senior students to receive one award each.

Mr. McPhail and Mr. Major served as a Commissioner on the ASWCD Board and dedicated most of their adult lives to agricultural and conservation programs in Anderson County.

Applicants will be considered with emphasis on the following areas:

  1. Agricultural background and related activities

  2. Scholastic achievement

  3. Financial need

  4. Extra-curricular activities

Deadline: March 22nd, 2024

Person or Organization

conservationist of the year

Conservationist of the Year Award recognizes a person or organization that has had a positive impact or has been a good steward of Anderson County’s natural resources. This may include, but is not limited to; farmers, school groups, companies, industries, and civic organizations.


Deadline: March 22nd, 2024

Teacher

conservation teacher of the year

Conservation Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a teacher who has been actively working to advance environmental and conservation education.


Deadline: March 22nd, 2024