The South Whidbey Schools Foundation awarded nearly $30,000 to fund 26 classroom projects for the 2015-16 school year.

The funds awarded are a new record for the nonprofit organization.

The projects include robotic kits for second-graders to learn engineering and programming by using LEGOS, an aquaponics and aeroponics chamber, growing salmon in the classroom, a sound recording studio, exploring watershed science and atomic modeling at the high school.

Of the $29,780 awarded, $17,800 was dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (or STEM) projects.

Retired educator and foundation board member Jean Shaw went to all four of South Whidbey’s schools on Nov. 2 and presented teachers with funding letters and balloons. She frequently received hugs from the educators and applause from students.

The foundation raises money every year through an annual spring gala, Dine-Out Wednesdays at local restaurants, a talent show in March and an annual appeal drive. Educators originally requested $42,922 in classroom projects, but the foundation was not able to meet their goal of reaching that total.

“We had to make some difficult choices,” said Schools Foundation Board President Chris Gibson in a recent press release. “But, we did our best to fund or partially fund 22 projects right away and have committed to funding four more early in 2016 after our annual fund drive. We’re also looking to develop an “Adopt-a-Grant” program and just had our first donors step up to fully fund a project which we could only partially fund.”

Since being created in 1994, the foundation has funded more than $225,000 in teacher-requested projects and materials to enhance educational excellence. The projects that are funded are often those that the school district is unable to afford due to budget restraints.

A full listing of classroom grants is available on the Foundation’s website: www.SWSFoundation.org.