Creating robots, investing in the highs and lows of the stock market, witnessing the life cycle of the butterfly and exploring underwater sea creatures are a few of the projects students will explore thanks to funding from the Bright Ideas Grant Program, sponsored by Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC).
Teachers, students and area schools were awarded $16,000 in grants to benefit more than 4,900 students in three counties through CAEC’s educational grant program.
A reception honoring the 17 selected grant recipients was held during an evening ceremony held on Jan. 16 at the cooperative’s headquarters in Prattville, where CAEC’s Board of Trustees presented checks to the area teachers who were the authors of the grants. Grant proposals had been evaluated by a panel of judges from local community associations.
The Bright Ideas Grant Program was introduced by CAEC in 1998 with the goal of supporting innovative, interesting and effective initiatives that are not usually covered by traditional school funding. Grants are intended to help enhance teachers’ efforts, and are awarded to individuals or teams in public, private and home schools within CAEC’s service area.
Funding from programs, such as the Bright Ideas grants, prove extremely valuable in today’s educational arena, when basic funding has been cut, leaving little or no financial support for new and creative learning alternatives.
“Perhaps nothing has as much of an impact on our children than what they learn in the classroom,” said CAEC President and CEO Tom Stackhouse. “We are honored to be able to provide assistance to our educators who work tirelessly to give our future leaders the tools they need to be successful.”
To date, CAEC has awarded approximately $240,000 to local schools through the program. More than 96,300 students in all grade levels and subject areas have benefited from the Bright Ideas grants.
Autauga County teachers receiving 2014 grants are: Ryan Golson and LeMadrie Taylor of Autaugaville School; Susan Butts of the Autauga County Second Chance Program, Jay Thompson of the Autauga County Technology Center; Bob Perkins of the Autauga County Technology Center; Michelle Studdard, Susan Kuzma, Tatum Northington and Obed Ellis of Prattville High School; Janice Stockman and Cindy Hines of Prattville High School; Stephanie Nobles and Sandy Bice of East Memorial Christian Academy; and Bonnie J. Levchik of the Autauga County Second Chance Program.
Chilton County teachers receiving a 2014 grant are: Jay LeCroy, Jason Sosa, Tammy Price and Hilary McKinney of the STEM Academy at LeCroy Career Technical Center.
Elmore County teachers receiving a 2014 grant are: Irene Wong, Marcia Stephens and Julie Morrison of Airport Road Intermediate School; Carolee Lindsey of Holtville High School; Tina Stoddard and Bonnie Sullivan of Wetumpka Elementary School; Luther Calhoun of Stanhope Elmore High School; Svetlana Chesser of Stanhope Elmore High School; Michelle Richey and Teresa Sigler of Coosada Elementary School; Kim Miller and Jennifer Daniel of Holtville High School; and Emilie Johnson, Heather Perdue, Elizabeth Jackson, Tracy Smith, Debbie Perez and Rosalind Crosby of Coosada Elementary School.