Cherokee County foundation hands out school grants

The Cherokee County Educational Foundation has awarded Cherokee teachers and students a record $25,000 in its third round of competitive IMPACT grants.

The 13 educational projects picked from more than 40 applications range from a desktop mill so that high school students can machine parts for robots they design to a writing program for elementary school students using Lego block sets.

The awards range in size from $664 to $2,500.

The grants handed out recently are a significant jump from the $15,000 distributed to teachers and administrators last year. The nonprofit foundation has distributed more than $115,000 in grants to Cherokee County School District schools, teachers, administrators and students since 2013.