Every fall, as educators and students return to the classroom, there’s a buzz across the state as the deadline looms to apply for a Bright Ideas education grant from North Carolina’s electric cooperatives. For Brandon Dillman, a teacher at White Oak High School in Onslow County, that buzz is a bit louder—literally.
Since 2018, Dillman and his students have been educating youth on the importance of honeybees and other pollinators through their collection of beehives. This apiary has helped to educate not only the students and faculty of White Oak High School but also members of the Onslow County community and beyond. Dillman says it wouldn’t be possible without support from local groups, including Jones-Onslow Electric Membership Corporation, which has helped fund components of the apiary through Bright Ideas grants.
“These grants have supported aspects of this whole thing, so without them, we may have never started this project,” said Dillman.
Dillman’s most recent grant from Jones-Onslow EMC funded a 50-inch touchscreen that serves as a comprehensive data hub. This hub allows students to record and track essential information pertaining to the honeybee colonies. Dillman explained, “this cutting-edge technology will enable us to actively collaborate and share valuable insights with neighboring schools and organizations, fostering a collaborative network dedicated to honeybee education and conservation.” The data hub is paired with an observation unit that Dillman created that allows local community members and classes to observe the beehives and beekeepers in action. The team calls it their “Honeybee Education Center.”
Taking the information students learn in their textbooks and applying it to real-life lessons is what Dillman says education is all about.
“It allows them to be immersed in it,” Dillman said. “It gives them tools to go off into the future, and even if they don’t have their own bee colonies, they’re learning skills that can carry them forward.”
A multi-year grant winner, Dillman has used each of his awards to build upon the hives and pollination gardens. With the project now benefiting students from elementary to high school, Jones-Onslow EMC says projects like the apiary show the impact that local educators are making in their community.
“Brandon is a shining example of what the Bright Ideas program is all about. He has gone above and beyond with his grant proposals, creating projects that will have a lasting impact for years,” said Krystal Phillips, communications and community relations director at Jones-Onslow EMC. “From the start, Brandon wasn’t just thinking about a one-time project—he wanted to make a real difference for his students. With projects like his bee sanctuary and pollinator gardens, he’s teaching valuable life skills that his students will carry with them.”
Dillman encourages all educators to apply for a Bright Ideas grant, no matter how big or small their idea is. He admits he once thought building the apiary was a crazy idea, but thanks to the support of his local co-op, it became a reality.
“Thank you so much, Jones-Onslow, for providing these Bright Ideas grants,” said Dillman. “For myself and all the teachers across Onslow County and eastern North Carolina, without you, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”
North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives have collectively awarded nearly $16 million in Bright Ideas grants across the state since 1994. These grants have funded 14,700 projects and impacted more than 3.5 million students.
The final deadline for submitting grant applications is Sept. 15 for most cooperatives, however interested applicants are encouraged to visit their local co-op’s website to find more information on application requirements and deadlines.
To learn more about the program and apply, please visit www.ncbrightideas.com.