The Mississippi Power Education Foundation recently awarded more than $51,000 in grants to a dozen schools and school districts throughout the service territory.

“We are excited about the projects the grants will fund,” said Huntley Biggs, manager of Education Services, G&SI Building, and executive director of the Education Foundation. “It is exciting to help educators provide innovative ways for students to learn in all areas of the curriculum.”

Grant recipients:

Gautier Junior High, $1,191 for a project called “Expert Advice,” which will include hands-on activities guided and encouraged by real mentor scientists, communicating with seventh-graders via mail, phone, e-mail and fax.

George County Middle School, $2,000 for a program called “Science in the Middle,” which will give students hands-on opportunities to learn. The school also received a $2,000 grant for a portable science library and a $568 grant for a program called “Measure for Life.” The program will establish a set of measuring instruments to measure length, weight, volume, temperature, density, wind speed, lung capacity and sound level. Meridian Separate School District, $6,236 for strategic planning for the school district.

Oak Grove Middle School, $7,100 for a science resource center that will provide easy access to scientific equipment and other instructional tools.

Oak Grove Upper Elementary, $650 for a program called “Classical Kids: An Introduction to Music Appreciation,” which will introduce students to 17th and 18th century musical works and composers. Parkview Elementary School, $2,000 for “Project CLAM,” which involves community leaders reading and recording on cassette tape children’s books for the purpose of improving reading vocabulary and comprehension skills.

Pearl River Central Elementary, $2,000 to create book labs, which will enhance the content areas of science, social studies, math and language. The elementary also received a grant for $1,250.62 for a project called “See America.” In the project, a stuffed animal will travel to all states of the United States, allowing students to pen pal with others their age while learning about other cultures. Petal Separate School District, $15,000 to fund the second cycle of Strategic Planning for the district.

Seminary Attendance Center, $100 for a “Portraying Human Conditions through Literature” program. The center also received a $531.40 grant for a “Teaching Writing Through Literature” program. St. Martin High School, $2,100 for a program involving elementary, middle and high school students in collecting data for the GLOBE project (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment). Stringer Attendance Center, $1,950 for a project called “The Way Air Works,” which will allow students to explore math and science in a realistic manner. The center also received a $5,000 grant for a project called “Making School Work.” The project is a joint effort between district, local and national businesses and higher education to improve math and science performance and interest through hands-on activities. Witherspoon Elementary School, $2,000 to fund “Project DREAM” (Discover Reading-Style Excel Achieve Mastery). The project will help second-graders learn to read.