Budding botanists at Creeds Elementary School will record data from a school garden they will plan and create this year. With the help of Wonder Workshop robots, first-graders at John B. Dey Elementary will learn to write code as well as develop their problem-solving, writing and math skills.

Ocean Lakes High School students will create product prototypes with 3-D scanners and printers to pitch their ideas to local businesses. And Virginia Beach Middle School students will learn customized fitness programs and build their core strength using SURFSET boards.

These projects are only four of the 51 grants awarded by the Virginia Beach Education Foundation (VBEF) at its annual TGIF (Teacher Grants Improve Futures) Celebration Nov. 10 at the Sandler Center.

This year’s grants, totaling $110,000, are funded through corporate underwriters and personal donations made directly to the VBEF or through United Way contributions designated for the foundation. Over the past 16 years, the VBEF has awarded more than $1.6 million in grants to support innovative teaching and learning.

The TGIF Celebration also included a silent art auction and reception catered by students in the culinary arts program at the school division’s Technical and Career Education Center.

A photograph by Jessica Provow, Virginia Beach Middle School art teacher, was selected as the VBEF 2016 Commemorative Print. Proceeds from print sales benefit the VBEF grants program, and this year’s print as well as previous prints are available for purchase on www.vbef.org.

To learn more about the 2015-2016 grants or see articles and videos about past grant projects, visit the Adopt A+ Grants page on www.vbef.org.