The Longivew News Journal — The Pine Tree Education Foundation on Friday awarded its 2012-13 grants.

Grants were given to a wide array of teacher projects — from herb gardens to robotics to astronauts. The foundation awarded a total of $31,316.75 to educators for the programs.

Grants awarded include:

A $1,057.56 grant awarded to Ann Broyles, high school culinary arts teacher, for an indoor herb garden for high school culinary students.

The teacher will create an indoor herb garden for students to cultivate and harvest herbs to use in cooking activities. The students will plan, prepare and plant, cultivate and harvest (basil, chives, cilantro, dill, parsley, thyme, sage and tarragon) in an effort to expand their exposure to a wider variety of cuisines, recipes and food preparation skills.

A $420 grant awarded to Staci Henderson, high school biology teacher, for biology tissue slides.

Instructors believe the best way for students to compare and be able to describe tissue types is to see the best sample available, which is a microscope slide. Through materials purchased with the grant, rather than looking at pictures of the tissues, the students will be looking at a sample much like doctors and scientists look at in the lab.

A $2,523.69 grant for a first and second grade robotics program from LEGO.

This grant will provide Lego Robotics kits called “WeDo Robots” that are developmentally appropriate for elementary students. These robots target students in first through third grades, and will provide opportunities to build a variety of objects while developing math and science skills through project-based lessons.

An $8,293.50 grant awarded to Allison Gillentine, special programs coordinator, for a high school robotics program.

This grant will provide the high school with five robotics kits, a software license and five basic laptops necessary for the robots to function. The district has robotics programming in third through seventh grades; this grant will provide an extension of the Robotics program to grades nine through 12. Funds will provide students with at least one program that is available throughout elementary and secondary settings.

A $10,000 grant to create a 21st century technology classroom setting at the intermediate campus.

What does the “model” 21st century classroom look like? A model classroom at the intermediate campus will be equipped with the latest in technology, including iPads, new computers and smart boards. The classroom will serve as a template for future planning and will help the district assess how technology increases productivity through engaged learning for students in the high-tech classroom.

A $3,500 grant awarded to Allen Morris, high school science teacher, to fund a visit from astronaut Story Musgrave with students.

NASA Style features Musgrave, who during the course of 30 years has written his own chapter in NASA history as one of its most colorful, passionate and dedicated astronauts. Musgrave’s presentation reminds his audience that Earth is our most precious resource and, in today’s world, we must take good care to preserve it. Providing an inspirational view from high above, he projects his photography from space while sharing his unique viewpoint on this subject with his audience, all to the accompaniment of “space music.”

A $1,532 grant awarded to third grade teachers Allyson Carter and Viridiana Castillo for wireless response clickers for in-class participation.

The students will use an interactive wireless handheld device to select their responses to a question posed by the teacher or integrated into any lesson via various computer programs or table applications. The teacher will have the ability to monitor each student’s response, and students will also have the ability to self monitor. The student response system can be used across the curriculum, throughout all disciplines.