The Irvine Public Schools Foundation has awarded grants of up to $20,000 to 25 projects across the Irvine Unified School District that are aimed at supporting innovative teaching practices.
The grants, worth a combined $200,000, will provide educators with opportunities to create an even greater impact on their schools and classrooms through innovation, foundation officials said. Projects awarded included innovation labs, virtual reality technology, 3D printers and flexible furniture.
Eight schools received the $20,000 “Mega Grants.” They were Deerfield Elementary, Cadence Park School, Santiago Hills Elementary, Portola High School, Alderwood Elementary, Meadow Park Elementary, Springbrook Elementary and Lakeside Middle School.
Schools found out about their grants through surprise visits by IPSF officials.
The foundation has posted a video of some of those visits, along with other details about the grants.
Since 1996, the Irvine Public Schools Foundation has raised $73 million to support programs and services in schools in Irvine.