EnergyUnited awarded 29 Bright Ideas grants totaling $35,088 to teachers in November and December. The grants were awarded to teachers in EnergyUnited’s 19-county service area for special projects that will enhance instruction in their classrooms.

"Classroom teachers are the heart and soul of our education system," said H. Wayne Wilkins, Chief Executive Officer. "We are committed to helping them do the best possible job and challenge the students in their classes to be the very best they can be. Through the Bright Ideas program, EnergyUnited makes funds available for special classroom projects that create excitement among students and enhance learning. It's a joy for us at EnergyUnited to play a part in providing quality education for students within our service area." Since the program was created, EnergyUnited has made more than $505,000 in grants.

Bright Ideas grant awards can be as much as $2,000 each. Teachers in grades K-12 were eligible to apply. Volunteers, including educators, community leaders and representatives of the cooperatives, screen proposals from teachers and make selections.

The Bright Ideas program is a statewide initiative of the 26 electric cooperatives in North Carolina. Created in 1994, the program has collectively awarded more than $7 million in grant money to North Carolina teachers to sponsor 4,000 projects teaching more than 1 million students. EnergyUnited individually has made 485 grants totaling $505,613 to teachers for innovative classroom instruction projects.

EnergyUnited will begin accepting grant applications for the 2010 program in April. To apply, go to www.ncbrightideas.com. EnergyUnited will only accept online applications.

• Amber Cratty - West Alexander Middle - "Stories from the Other Side: An Immigrant's Account"
• Brenda Waters - Alexander Central High - "Projecting into the Future"

• Mary L. Phillips - Cox Mill Elementary - "Tell Me a Story"

• Madeleine Murr - River Bend Middle - "Leaping into Learning"

• Linda Harris - Pinebrook Elementary - "Keep It Simple With Simple Machines"
• Marty Creech - North Davie Middle - "Flipping for the Future"

• Betsy H. McGhee - Southwest Elementary - "Southwest Special Education Project"
• Deborah T. Daniels - Southeast Middle - "Building Our Youth Successfully"
• Jane Hoke - North Forsyth High - "Science Night"
• Kieran Brown - Clemmons Middle - "NASA Webcam Seminars"
• Mitzi Talbert - Flat Rock Middle School - "Discovery Missions"
• Pamela Smith - Sherwood Forest Elementary - "Building Bridges"

• Angela K. Osborne - EP Pearce Elementary - "Successful Science"
• Brandy Pinnix Widener - Archer Elementary - "Teaming Up and Taking It Home"

• Adrian Reece - American Renaissance School - "Cultural Festivals From Around the World"
• Alison Schleede - Mooresville Sr High - "Point, Shoot, Upload, and Publish"
• Kathleen Boice - Troutman Middle - "Working Water"

• Beth Anthony - Lexington Middle - "A New Angle on Buildings"
• Maria Photopoulos - Southwest Elementary - "G.E.M.S.(Getting Everyone Motivated for Science) through Forensics"
• Mary Kathryn Patterson - South Lexington / Development Wing - "Blasting into Second Grade with Technology"

• Cathy DuPre - Oaklawn Elementary - "Get Charged Up for Reading!"
• Katie Weed - Tuckaseegee Elementary - "Learning in the Garden"

• Erika L. Beattie - China Grove Elementary - "We Just Got Smarter"

• Angela Southard - John W Dillard Elementary - "Inquiry-Based Science in the Elementary Classroom"
• Jimmy D. Brafford - Rockingham Early College High School - "Oral History Explored: The 1960's"
• Melissa Pugh - J E Holmes Middle - "Beginning Band Success"

In an effort to educate children about electrical safety, EnergyUnited developed a free electrical safety demonstration. Schoolteachers or principals may call EnergyUnited to arrange the presentation.

Our employees participate in school Career Day events, informing students about the education and job skills required to become an electric cooperative employee, such as a lineman, engineer, dispatcher, accountant, or one of the many other positions available.

EnergyUnited employees present free programs and demonstrations to schools on a variety of topics ranging from cooperative methods of business, electrical safety, energy conservation, among others. Give your students a learning experience that is truly exceptional by calling EnergyUnited at 1-800-522-3793.