Bright Ideas Classroom Grants

The 2011 deadline has now passed. The 2012 application process will begin in May.

The Bright Ideas Grant Program was established by the state's electric cooperatives in 1994 to support innovative, creative and effective classroom initiatives that are not covered by traditional school funding. Since that time, the cooperatives have distributed over $7 million in funding across the Tarheel state.

Individual teachers or a team of teachers can compete for grants up to $2,000. All teachers and principals in both public and private schools grades K-12 are eligible to apply for a Bright Ideas Grant from Tideland EMC. However the school must be located in Dare, Craven, Pamlico, Washington, Hyde, Beaufort or Tyrrell counties. Applications will be accepted for projects in any discipline (multi-discipline projects are encouraged).

To learn more or apply online visit the Bright Ideas web site. Applications may also be faxed to Tideland EMC at 252.943.3510. If you experience web site problems or need additional information, contact program coordinator Heidi Jernigan Smith. Awards are presented in the fall of each year at a banquet in Greenville, NC hosted by the Electric Cooperatives of Eastern Carolina.

2011 Bright Ideas Grant Recipients

Tami Wagaman
Northside High School
"Electrifying Hands On Science"

Joshua Gaskill
Pamlico County High School
"View of the World: Getting the Big Picture!"

Nicholas McIntosh, Charlene Evans, Christi Rogerson, Connie Smith, and Michelle White
Plymouth High School
"Qwizi, Qwizi"

Bryan Duff
Arapahoe Charter School
"Healthy Body, Healthy Mind"

Lizzann Taylor
Arapahoe Charter School
"There's a Small World Out There!"

Brenda Laughinghouse
West Craven High School
"Broadening Lawn and Gardening"

Paul Whorton
Bridgeton Elementary School
"Fitness For Life"

Penny Paul & Charlotte Kassnove
Washington High School
"Round and Round We Go!"

Sharon Paszt Jankowski
Washington High School
"Science, It's in the Bag"

2010 Bright Ideas Grant Recipients

Justin Harris, William Shaw, Anthony Ranieri and Janna Dennis
West Craven High School
"Electric Wiring Demonstration Wall"

Crystal Swindell
Pungo Christian Academy
"Putting Life Under a Microscope"

Nicholas McIntosh, Charlene Evans, Patricia Moye, Christi Rogerson and Connie Smith
Plymouth High School
"TI: More than 84 Ways to Go"

Ginger Wescott
Washington High School
"Unwinding the Mysteries of DNA"

Joy McCracken
SW Snowden Elementary
"Earth and Sky"

Brenda Laughinghouse
West Craven High School
"Please Fence Me In!"

Alida Sawyer
John C. Tayloe Elementary
"Math: Good Enough to Eat!"

Marie Swann
Washington High School
"So Everyone Can See!"

Ginny Vogt
Arapahoe Charter School
"Using Historical Fiction to Integrate Literature and History"

Mary Ellen Stalnaker
Arapahoe Charter School
"Hands On Equations Learning System"