A little cooking oil allowed Gaffney High students Tevin Shears and Josh Mata to push this skewer through a balloon in one of many experiments involving plastic. This physical science lab was part of PlastiVan, a national science education program to help students learn more about the plastics industry. In the midst of state budget cuts, Gaffney High teacher Donna Howell has tapped into the country's giving spirit to get new science lab equipment.

Anonymous donors from California have helped provide a digital camera for Howell's microbiology classes and an expensive oil immersion lens to use in science experiments.

The projects were funded through DonorsChoose, a nonprofit Web site which matches donors with public education projects.

Howell requested two digital balances July 26 for her physical science lab classes. She has already received $266 in donations towards the $533 cost for the digital balances.

"I have had two projects already funded through this process, and the digital balance project is my third. Most of my donors have been Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and various individual donors, most from California," Howell said. "This is a wonderful way to match donors up with people who need things, but few teachers take advantage of this opportunity."

The Palmetto Horizon Foundation has formed a new partnership with DonorsChoose, allowing private dollars to flow directly to school classrooms. Palmetto Horizon is a statewide nonprofit in South Carolina and serves as a holding agency for private funds dedicated to public education.

Under the new partnership, visitors to www.palmettohorizon.or g can click on "Make Your Gift Directly to a South Carolina Classroom Today." They can view a list of projects proposed by state teachers, including descriptions and estimated costs. The projects can be sorted by city, county or school district.

There are only two Cherokee County projects presently listed on DonorsChoose.

In addition to Howell's request, a Luther Vaughan Elementary third grade teacher has asked for Leap Pad technology systems to help students not reading on grade level.

Once a project is funded, DonorsChoose.org will purchase the requested equipment and ship it directly to the classroom.

The new partnership between DonorsChoose and South Carolina's Palmetto Horizon Foundation provides a way for parents and businesses to help out teachers in public schools hurt by recent school budget cuts.

"Palmetto Horizon serves as the main charitable vehicle for those wishing to improve the lives of the 700,000 children in South Carolina's public schools," Palmetto Horizon Executive Director Trip DuBard said. "We are off to a great start."