Henrico Education Foundation’s Innovative Grants Showcase scheduled for Nov. 28

Growing salads in the cafeteria? Using camera-equipped drones to teach coding skills to elementary students? The Henrico Education Foundation awarded $71,925 in grants this fall to Henrico County teachers and principals with innovative classroom ideas. The public can learn more about these projects at the Henrico Education Foundation Innovative Grants Showcase Nov. 28.

The showcase will feature the foundation’s recent innovative grant recipients from schools across Henrico County. Drop in and see demonstrations of grant projects on full display, talk to teachers and principals and ask questions. Light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road.

The grant-funded projects on display at the showcase are affecting more than 14,500 students, teachers, and staff and community members. Some of the projects that will be featured include:

• Makerspace Hub Grant: Elko Middle School received a $9,133 innovative grant award to transform the school library into a “makerspace hub.” The project is part of a schoolwide initiative to bring interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning opportunities into the classroom.

• Tower Garden Grant: Greenwood Elementary School received a $3,210 innovative grant award to provide tower gardens to engage students in grades K-5 in interactive STEM classroom learning. Through the grant, students are learning about plant life cycles, while growing healthy food in their classrooms.

• Artist in Residence Grant: Fair Oaks Elementary School received a $3,950 innovative grant award to engage students and families in a collaborative literacy experience that concluded with a visit from Eric Litwin, original author of the “Pete the Cat” children’s book series.