Now accepting Bright Ideas grant applications
Central Electric and North Carolina’s network of electric cooperatives have collectively pledged nearly $600,000 to the state’s teachers in Bright Ideas education grant funding for the 2017-18 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. 18, 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 $10.2 million to teachers for 9,800 projects benefiting more than 2 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, Janet Jackson, can be reached at 919-708-1638 or by email at JacksonJ@cemcpower.com to answer any questions you may have about the program or the application process.