FRIENDSWOOD – Before Thanksgiving break, students from multiple campuses took part in the Friendswood ISD Education Foundation’s annual Student Grant Committee Meetings, reviewing and selecting teacher-submitted Adopt-A-Grant proposals that will directly impact learning on their schools.

Rather than adults making the final call, student committees evaluated proposals, discussed their potential impact, and worked toward consensus on which projects they believed would most benefit their peers.

An FISD press release said the grants chosen by students will be funded through the Mustang Association, providing resources and hands-on learning opportunities across the district.

At Cline Elementary, students selected two projects for funding: Keep Cline Beautiful, which focuses on environmental stewardship across campus, and Chomp, Build, Learn, a STEM-based initiative designed to introduce early engineering concepts through hands-on building and design challenges.

Windsong Elementary students approved three grants, including Code-A-Story, which blends literacy skills with introductory coding concepts; Hatching Life Science, an immersive project that allows students to study the life cycle of a chicken through real-time chick incubation; and Sensory Mindfulness, a program supporting emotional regulation and focus through sensory-based tools.

At Friendswood Junior High, students selected four grants aimed at creativity and problem-solving. These include Magnetic Motion, introducing physics concepts through hands-on magnetic force experiments; Sewing Success, a practical sewing program; Glazing the Way, an expansion of the ceramics program through updated glazing materials; and The Great Maze Challenge, which promotes spatial reasoning and collaboration through maze-building activities.

Friendswood High School students selected two grants supporting advanced coursework and inclusive programming. Canine Heart Sounds will provide veterinary science students with realistic diagnostic tools to study heart function and medical conditions. Get Out and Move will support students at the FISD Transition Center with outdoor recreational equipment designed to promote wellness, teamwork, and communication skills.

Throughout the process, students practiced evaluating ideas, advocating for projects, and considering how limited resources could make the greatest impact.

“The Student Grant Committee process allows our students to take an active role in shaping the educational opportunities on their campuses,” said Ashley Adair, executive director of the Friendswood Education Foundation. “Their decisions show remarkable insight, empathy, and leadership. We’re grateful to the Mustang Association for making these grants possible.”

The Student Grant Committees are a key part of the Foundation’s mission to inspire learning, enhance teaching, and strengthen connections between students and their schools. By involving students directly in funding decisions, the program encourages ownership, agency, and real-world decision-making skills.

More information about the Adopt-A-Grant program and ways to support teacher-led initiatives is available at fef.myfisd.com/programs/grants.

The Source: Friendswood ISD