Lexington One Educational Foundation Awards $25,000 in Innovation Grants for K-8 Schools for 2024-2025 School Year

Lexington, SC, April 22, 2024 – An applaudable effort to support and develop innovative educational initiatives in local K-8 schools has been made by the Lexington One Educational Foundation, with the Foundation recently awarding $25,000 in Innovation Grants. Participant schools belong to Lexington County School District One and six of these counted themselves incredibly fortunate to be recipients of the grants, which are valued up to $5,000 each.

The Educational Foundation’s ultimate mission, through these grants, is to fuel the expansion of existing educational initiatives or to incubate new ones, with a specific focus on the elementary and middle school level. Project designs were required to impact a substantial number of the school’s population, ensuring a broad reach and profound educational influence.

Details of the Innovation Grant Awards

Among the six victorious schools, Carolina Springs Elementary School has been granted $4,415 for their project named “Computer Science with Lego Robotics”. This initiative seeks to purchase LEGO Spike Kits to provide immersive learning experiences for 3rd to 5th grade STEM-related classes.

Forts Pond Elementary School was awarded the full $5,000 for their project “Innovation Phonics Frenzy: Boosting Literacy Skills through Differentiation”. This program aims to improve literacy via the purchase of decodable books, hands-on activities, and reading/phonics skill games for targeted small group instruction.

Lake Murray Elementary School, like Carolina Springs, was granted a sum of $4,415 for their “Enriching STEAM Opportunities with LEGO SPIKE” initiative. This exciting project proposes the procurement of 17 LEGO SPIKE sets, multilevel resources essential for engaging students in strategic planning, critical and creative thinking, and peer collaboration within a STEAM environment.

Meadow Glen Middle School also secured a grant of $1,755 to develop its innovative “Life Skills Learning Lab”. This project aims to create a simulated environment for students with disabilities. The lab is designed to foster unique learning environments that leverage inclusive curriculum design and adaptive technology integration.

Pleasant Hill Elementary School and White Knoll Middle School are also among the winners, gaining $4,415 and $5,000 respectively for their incredible projects aimed at enhancing learning through robotics and expanding a Maker Space in the school library.

A Decade of Rewarding Innovation

Looking back, the Lexington One Educational Foundation has been offering these grants for a decade, investing close to $200,000 into the Lexington District One schools and potentially affecting nearly 29,000 students. The board of directors and staff of the Educational Foundation expressed immense gratitude towards the individuals and businesses who generously contribute to the Foundation and make these grants possible.

The Foundation’s strategic investment of the grants is set to impact positively on over 2,260 Lexington District One students come the 2024-25 academic year when these awarded innovations will be implemented.

HERE News Network commends the efforts and generosity of the Lexington One Educational Foundation and is honored to have shared this piece of good news with the public.