POST FALLS — When funding requests are made for items such as dissection materials for sheep brains, teachers are letting their creative juices flow for classroom projects.

The nonprofit Post Falls Education Foundation will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Wine, Stein and Dine fundraiser for classroom projects on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Greyhound Park and Event Center.

The event has funded teacher requests ranging from the Idaho History Rendezvous at Ponderosa Elementary to books on money at Mullan Trail Elementary to choir equipment at Post Falls Middle School to those dissection materials at New Vision High School.

The funds support projects that otherwise wouldn't happen with general fund dollars.

Ann Rosenbaum, a teacher at New Vision, said the dissection materials will be beneficial.

"In both psychology and anatomy and physiology, students benefit tremendously when they are able to dissect specimens that coincide with areas of study," she said. "A student can read about the parts of the brain and label graphic organizers, but learning is much more effective when students are able to have the hands-on experience of dissection. To be able to see a cerebellum and the cerebral cortex in person is an unforgettable and exciting experience for our students."

Rosenbaum said a Wine, Stein and Dine grant was the only way the school could pay for the materials.

"In the past, I’ve had to borrow materials from Post Falls High School, and they could only lend me very limited supplies because they need most of their materials for their classes," she said.

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STEIN

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The foundation has raised more than $500,000 in the past 19 years.

"Pretty good for our small board, which is dedicated to helping the kids and teachers of Post Falls," said Val Wilcox of the foundation.