Trained staff from Pinellas County Utilities are available to visit your classroom. Our presentations are approved by the Pinellas County School Board and are listed in the 2007-2008 Speakers Bureau Directory. Speakers can tailor their message to reinforce a particular class curriculum. With the conservation presentation, students receive informational materials and a promotional item.

Our presentations are:
• Keyed to Florida Sunshine State Standards
• Dynamic and interactive
• Grade specific (K-12 available)
• Approximately one hour in length (can be adjusted)

HOW TO SCHEDULE A SPEAKER
• Waste reduction or recycling - call Solid Waste at (727) 464-7500 
• Water conservation - call Conservation at (727) 464-3896
• Career opportunities - call Conservation at (727) 464-3896
Please note that scheduling is based on staff availability.

WASTE REDUCTION TOPICS
  No Such Place As AWAY! - Ever wonder what happens to your trash after you throw it away? Find out exactly where trash (solid waste) goes in Pinellas County, and the environmentally-sound methods used for handling all types of solid waste. Explore the County's Waste-to-Energy facility, sanitary landfill, yard waste-to-mulch program, Household Electronics & Chemical Collection Center (HEC3), and recycling programs. Learn how you can help “close the loop” by practicing the "3Rs" (reduce, reuse, and recycle).

WATER CONSERVATION TOPICS
  Saving Water is a Blast (elementary school students) - Find out where drinking water comes from in Pinellas County, what the hydrologic cycle is and why it's so important, and how you can save water every day. Learn the differences between drinking water, reclaimed water, and wastewater. The presentation includes an information session, educational game (time permitting), and activity book.

  Water, Water, Water: What's All This About Water? (middle or high school students) - Get an overview of the basics concerning drinking water including sources, testing, treatment, and distribution. Learn about the successful water conservation programs administered by Pinellas County Utilities, and how you can help.
 
CAREER SPEAKERS BUREAU
  It’s More Than Just A Job! (middle school, high school, or college students) - Find out what career opportunities Pinellas County Utilities has to offer. Students will receive a “real world” perspective from professionals currently working in the utilities industry, such as a chemist, engineer, training specialist, accountant, reef diver, and graphic design artist. Let our panel of professionals share information that will help students make informed decisions about their career choices.

SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDS
Our waste reduction and water conservation presentations adhere to Florida Sunshine State Standards, as shown:

Language Arts:

• Uses new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly.
  LA.K-1112.1.6.1
• Relates new vocabulary to prior knowledge.
  LA.K.1.6.6; LA.1-1112.1.6.5
• Listens carefully and understands directions for performing tasks.
  LA.K-1112.5.2.1
• Listens attentively to speakers and takes notes as needed.
  LA.4.5.2.3
• Asks questions of speakers, using appropriate tone and eye contact.
  LA.4.5.2.4

Science:

• Big Idea 6: Identifies resources available in Florida and the impact humans have had on Earth.
  SC.4,7.E.6.6
• Big Idea 7: Recognizes that the ocean is an integral part of the water cycle and is connected to reservoirs via evaporation and precipitation.
  SC.5-6.E.7.2
• Big Idea 8: Identifies properties and common uses of water in each of its states.
  SC.4.P.8.2
• Big Idea 17: Interdependence of humans and the environment.
  SC.1-2.L.17.1; SC.4.L.17.4; SC.912.L.17.11; SC.912.L.17.14; SC.912.L.17.18

Social Studies:

• Understands the interactions of people and the physical environment.
  SS.B.2.1 (K-2), SS.B.2.2 (3-5), SS.B.2.3 (6-8), SS.B.2.4 (9-12)
• Understands how scarcity requires choices about how to use resources.
  SS.D.1.1 (K-2), SS.D.1.2 (3-5), SS.D.1.3 (6-8), SS.D.1.4 (9-12)