Aspiring young filmmakers, vegetable gardeners and robot builders in Forsyth County got a boost recently when a local educational foundation awarded more than $40,000 in grants to 11 schools.

The Forsyth County Education Foundation visited the schools on Foundation FriYAY, Oct. 5, to announce grants ranging from $1,575 to $5,000 per project that will benefit nearly 8,000 students, school officials said.

Funded initiatives included “Real Students. Real News. Real Need,” video production equipment to grow literacy and language skills at Cumming Elementary School, $5,000; “We’re Bringing Veggies Back,” a working garden at Kelly Mill Elementary School to supply the school cafeteria and area food banks, $4,064; and “WeDo Robotics” a robotics and coding program to encourage STEM skills at Sharon Elementary School, $4,652.

The foundation received grant requests totaling $171,847 this year, officials said. Information: Hannah Samples, hsamples@forsyth.k12.ga.us, or https://bit.ly/2yAz7Kn