The Bellevue Schools Foundation just announced the recipients of the 2011-21 Enrichment and Innovation Grant awards. Teachers and school staff apply for these competitive small grants to fund projects that extend the regular curriculum, encourage higher-level thinking skills, or enrich students through culture, art, or other activities. This year $50,000 in grants are being awarded.

Out of the 107 grant applications received, 64 grants were awarded.

Examples of funded projects include:

– Students from Bennett and Eastgate elementary schools will do hands-on science and learn about complex marine systems on an oceanographic cruise in Puget Sound.

– Students at Ardmore, Clyde Hill, and Spiritridge elementary schools will enrich their glass and ceramic arts learning with new kilns.

– Newport Heights Elementary students will explore Northwest Coastal American heritage and culture at Tillicum Village and the use Skype to perform self-created myths with pen pals at other schools.

– Bellevue High freshmen will explore the treasures of Tutankhamen at the highly anticipated exhibit coming to the Pacific Science Center.

– Newport High orchestra students will learn to meld “classical” instrumentation with contemporary techniques/technology through a series of hands-on sessions with professional violinist Geoffrey Castle.