Bright Ideas
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Bright Ideas is Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative's way of "energizing innovative lessons" by educators at local schools. Mid-Carolina gave approximately $14,300 in October 2008, the fourth annual Bright Ideas program recognition.

Teachers at 14 area schools were awarded grants for their innovative ideas for classroom projects. Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative sponsors the Bright Ideas program to allow educators to compete for funding outside of often-limited school district resources.

The "Bright Ideas Grant Patrol" made special visits to 16 grant winning teachers. The program sponsors surprised the teachers with a check, balloons, and other prizes to celebrate their awards with the entire school.

"The idea behind Bright Ideas," according to MCEC's CEO Jack Wolfe, "is to help empower good teachers, to provide support outside of normal public school funding for great projects that deserve to be used in the classroom, yet need that extra assistance."

Bright Ideas is open to classroom educators of grades kindergarten through twelve in Lexington School Districts One, Two, Three and Five; or at Hollywood Elementary (Saluda County); or Pinegrove Elementary, Rhame Elementary, Sandel Elementary, St. Andrews Middle or Columbia High (Richland County).

To learn more about MCEC's Bright Ideas awards, contact Emily Leaphart at 803-749-6431.

Applications are accepted May through September.

2008 Grant Recipients »