One of the reasons Bright Ideas grants have been so impactful in classrooms across the state is their ability to support educators’ lesson plans for years at a time. For the past 30 years, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have supported teachers’ exciting and innovative ideas through the grant program, and for many winners, the grants they applied for years ago are still in use today.
Ashley Dow, a science teacher at North East Carolina Preparatory School in Tarboro, North Carolina, won her first Bright Ideas grant from Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation in 2018. She said that first grant showed her the commitment co-ops are making to education in their local communities.
“Because they are providing that opportunity to us, we can utilize that material year after year, impacting lots of kids,” said Dow. “Seeing them interact with something new that they don’t have any prior experience with, that empowers them to learn something new—that’s what makes school exciting.”
Since being awarded her first Bright Ideas grant, Dow has gone on to win three more from Edgecombe-Martin County EMC. Her projects have covered an assortment of fun, engaging subjects for her students, including microscopes to explore cells, solar kits that teach the fundamentals of renewable energy sources, and most recently, coding robots that connect the basics of coding with artistic creativity.
“At Edgecombe-Martin County EMC, we recognize that education is the foundation of a thriving community,” said Monica Speight, manager of communications at Edgecombe-Martin County EMC. “Through Bright Ideas grants, we are able to support local educators who consistently go above and beyond in their classrooms. These grants empower teachers to implement innovative projects that enhance learning, inspire students and contribute to the brighter future of our entire community.”
Between Dow’s four grants, she estimates these projects have impacted more than 900 students. Each one has given them the opportunity to take what they’ve learned in their science textbooks and turn that into tangible lessons that Dow says they will carry with them for the rest of their academic lives.
“Once you have the materials in your classroom and you see how your students’ faces light up when they interact with them, it’s worth your time,” said Dow. “We appreciate all of the support from Edgecombe-Martin County EMC and the Bright Ideas program, and like I said, year after year we are utilizing those funds, and we appreciate their support.”
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.