Some Renton schools were among 48 schools the Boeing Employees Credit Union awarded community grants to totaling more than $100,000 this year.

Hazen High Schools and Sierra Heights, Talbot Hill and Benson Hill Elementary Schools all received a grant from BECU for programs designed  to have a big positive impact on students’ lives.

The credit union received more than 600 grant applications from local schools. Applicants were judged based on eligibility of the request, impact of funds on student learning, potential use of funds, number of students reached with grant funds and potential on-going use of item or program.

Hazen High School plans to purchase technology tools for students to have access to resources that scientists use.

Sierra Heights will use the funds to help offset the cost for students to attend fifth grade camp at Camp Sealth.

Benson Hill plans to use the grant money to purchase 8 new Hewlett-Packard netbooks for their library.

Talbot Hill will use the grant to help fund three student-run businesses in their school’s MicroSociety program. That program allows “students to experience the realities of a free enterprise economy, use knowledge and skills from the core curriculum to solve real-life problems and explore roles in school-wide society in miniature,” a release stated.

“BECU School Grants allow us to support programs that can have a positive impact on the lives of students, but lack funding needed to make them a reality,” said Tom Berquist, senior vice president of member strategies in the release. “It means a lot to BECU to be able to support schools in providing tools, experiences and resources to help give kids the best education possible.”