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Classroom Grants

Classroom Grant Portal

Supporting Big Ideas in Every Classroom
The Education Foundation of Okeechobee County is proud to offer classroom grants to empower teachers with the resources they need to bring learning to life. Whether you’re planning a hands-on STEM project, flexible seating, a field trip, or something completely new—this is your place to dream big for your students.

About the Classroom Grant Portal

We believe that the best ideas come from the classroom. That’s why we invest in teacher-led projects that enhance student learning and support innovative instruction. Grants may be used for materials, field trips, guest speakers, or other classroom needs.

Important Dates:

  • Application Opens: August 15th
  • Application Deadline: September 20th
  • Funding Notification: October
  • Final Report Due: May 15th

How to Apply

Planning Template
Grant Guidelines
Available Grants
Start Your Application

Eligibility & Requirements

student and teacher

  • Open to all Pre-K – 12th Grade educators in Okeechobee County public schools

  • Projects must align with district goals and improve student outcomes

  • A final report is required, including photos and a short reflection

  • Projects must be completed within the current school year

Need Inspiration?

Check out some of the amazing ideas your colleagues have brought to life through this program—from classroom butterfly gardens to robotics kits and field trips to Kennedy Space Center.

See Grant Ideas
Living Wax Museum
Students brought history to life through a living Wax Museum, researching influential figures and transforming into them for a one-day interactive exhibit. Dressed in costume and standing “on display,” students shared monologues and fun facts with visitors, blending public speaking, research, and creativity in a way that made learning unforgettable.
School Newspaper
Students launched a school newspaper, taking on roles like writers, editors, photographers, and designers. They planned content, interviewed staff and peers, and published regular issues that kept the school community informed and engaged. Along the way, they built skills in writing, critical thinking, collaboration, and meeting deadlines — all while finding their voice and learning the power of student-led storytelling.
Manatee Center Experience
Students took learning beyond the classroom with a field trip to the Manatee Center, where they explored local ecosystems through a hands-on seining experience. Wading into the water with nets, they collected and identified marine life, deepening their understanding of environmental science, biodiversity, and conservation. It was an unforgettable way to connect classroom lessons to the real world.
Farm-To-Table Project
Students experienced the full farm-to-table process by growing their own strawberries, harvesting them, and turning the fruit into homemade jam. Along the way, they learned about plant science, nutrition, and food safety, while also practicing measurement, teamwork, and hands-on problem solving. The project ended with students presenting the jam to a special caregiver in their life for Mother’s Day — a sweet (and educational) success from start to finish.
Coffee Shop
Students launched a full-service coffee shop on campus, handling everything from taking orders and preparing drinks to managing inventory and delivering to staff. The café officially opened on Fridays, with teachers able to purchase drinks to support the program. It gave students a meaningful way to build real-life skills like communication, time management, and customer service — while creating a strong sense of ownership and pride.

Questions?

We’re here to help! 

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Okeechobee, FL 34972

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Grant Ideas

  • Sensory Bins for Kindergarten: Support fine motor development and sensory learning through themed sensory bins.
  • Flexible & Alternative Seating: Wobble cushions, chair bands, stools, and sensory-friendly seating to support focus and movement in early learners.
  • Kindergarten Sensory Corner: Tools and spaces to help students with sensory processing, anxiety, and self-regulation.
  • Multisensory Sight Word Cards: Tactile, auditory, and visual approaches to support sight word mastery.
  • Library Reading Lounge
  • Decodable Books for Confident Reading: A phonics-aligned set of decodable books to help students build fluency, confidence, and long-term academic success.
  • Student-Created Hardcover Books: Students become authors and illustrators by applying writing skills like plot, grammar, and character development to publish their own hardcover books.
  • “Kidnapped in Key West” Florida History Unit: Historical fiction reading followed by student created posters and oral presentations on Florida history.
  • Really Great Reading Program: Innovative vocabulary and literacy instruction targeting early learners.
  • Elementary School Newspaper: Students create and publish a school newspaper that boosts writing skills, creativity, and interest in current events. The project fosters collaboration and literacy, with participation eagerly anticipated across the campus.
  • Living Wax Museum (2nd Grade): Students research, write, and present historical figures in a live performance.
  • Art in Action: Leading Creativity at Recess: Student Council members lead campus-wide creative activities during recess, developing leadership and teamwork skills. All students participate in fun, structured art projects that support fine motor development, penmanship, and classroom engagement.
  • Hallway Busking Showcase: Students share their talents in a school-wide busking event. Spectators reward favorite performers with custom coins, promoting creativity, school spirit, and celebration of diverse talents.
  • Student-Created Hardcover Books (also listed under Literacy): Combines writing with visual arts to engage students in storytelling and design.
  • Hands-On STEAM Projects with Reusable Materials: Encourages academic excellence and positive behavior through engaging, hands-on STEAM projects using reusable supplies to benefit current and future learners.
  • Mini Maker Spaces: Materials and tools for students to explore hands-on creation in STEM.
  • Rubik’s Cube Problem Solving & Mosaic Art: Engage gifted learners with logic and art through cube-based design challenges.
  • “Watershed in a Box” & Estuary Study: Hands-on watershed modeling with a field trip to explore local aquatic ecosystems.
  • “Rock Detectives”: Geology investigation with hands-on tests to study rock types and properties.
  • Scientific Kits on Motion & Magnets: Lab kits to explore energy, motion, and magnetism with interactive learning.
  • STEM Field Trip to SeaWorld (Elementary & High School): Engage in pre-designed STEM tasks aligned with science and math standards during an immersive theme park experience.
  • Middle School “SoundScape Tech”: Music recording sessions integrating performance and literacy skills.
  • Butterfly Life Cycle Exploration (K–1st Grade): Students observe and track the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies and release them into a student-created butterfly garden, reinforcing science concepts through real-world experience and assessments.
  • Butterfly Gardens & Outdoor Learning Spaces: Students design, build, and study butterfly habitats while creating spaces for reflection and small group learning.
  • Hatching Chicks in Kindergarten: Life cycle exploration through live animal observation.
  • Farm-to-Table Strawberry Project: Grow, harvest, and process strawberries into jam for a hands-on agri-science experience.
  • Gardening for ESE Students: Grow vegetables while learning plant science and presenting projects at the county fair.
  • Milk Farm Visit: Learn about dairy production, jobs, and operations at a local working dairy.
  • Jaycee Park Seining Trip: Explore local habitats and ecosystems through seining and hands-on fieldwork.
  • Okeechobee History Bus Tour (Middle & High School): Connect classroom learning with visits to local government buildings, farms, and historic sites.
  • Florida History through Research & Performance: Students present on key figures and sites in Florida’s past.
  • Community Helpers Musical (1st Grade): Integrates reading, social studies, and performing arts.
  • Workforce Math Field Trip (Middle School ESE): Visit to local college for a hands-on experience in how math applies to real-world careers.
  • STEM Field Activities (also listed under STEM): Projects include problem-solving tasks at theme parks and interactive math applications.
  • 24-Foot Parachute for PE: Large parachute for cooperative play and motor skill development.
  • PE Equipment for Multiple Classes: Supplies to run multiple PE classes simultaneously with diverse activities.