Central Electric now accepting Bright Ideas applications
Central Electric and North Carolina’s network of electric cooperatives have collectively pledged nearly $675,000 to the state’s teachers in Bright Ideas education grant funding for the 2019-20 school year. Educators can submit an application for grants of up to $2,000 for creative, hands-on classroom projects that would not otherwise be possible.
Central Electric expects to award $15,000 in Bright Ideas grants this year to teachers in Chatham, Harnett, Lee, and Moore counties. The grants are available to K-12 teachers for innovative projects in any subject. Teachers can apply individually or as a team and all applications must be submitted online.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 23; however, it is beneficial to apply early. Teachers who submit their applications by the early bird deadline on Aug. 15 will be entered to win one of five $100 Visa® gift cards.
To apply, teachers must include a budget, explain the implementation, goals, creative elements and evaluation of the project, and have approval from the school principal. Applications will be judged in a competitive evaluation process, and judges will be on the lookout for projects that feature innovation and creativity.
Since 1994, the co-ops have worked to enhance education by engaging students in meaningful learning projects that encourage creative approaches. In the past two decades, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have contributed more than $12.2 million to teachers for 9,800 projects benefiting more than 2.3 million students.
To learn more about the Bright Ideas program, access the application or apply for a grant, visit NCBrightIdeas.com. Central Electric’s Bright Ideas Coordinator, Ryley Osentoski, can be reached at 919-708-1639 or by email at osentoskir@cemcpower.com to answer any questions you may have about the program or the application process.