Special to IFN
EnergyUnited is proud to announce grant winners for the 2024 Bright Ideas program. This year EnergyUnited awarded a total of $47,892 to 44 teachers across the cooperative’s service area. The funds will be used to support innovative classroom projects that aim to inspire and engage students, fostering a love for learning and encouraging creativity in the classroom. Winning projects supported by the cooperative include hands-on STEM activities, as well as artistic and interdisciplinary learning experiences.
The Bright Ideas program, which has been a cornerstone of EnergyUnited’s commitment to education, provides grants to K-12 teachers to implement creative and impactful projects. This year marks the 30-year anniversary of the program.
“EnergyUnited is proud to continue its long-standing support of local educators and their students,” said LaQuisha Parks, vice president of energy services and corporate communications at EnergyUnited. “The Bright Ideas program is an important resource for EnergyUnited to help foster innovation in our schools, and we are excited to support these forward-thinking projects.”
The 2024 grants will support projects in 35 schools, benefiting 15,000 students in communities served by EnergyUnited. From interactive science experiments to unique literacy programs, these projects will provide students with learning opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Since its inception, the Bright Ideas program has awarded nearly $16 million in grants, impacting more than 3.65 million students and helping teachers bring their best ideas to life. Each year, teachers are invited to submit proposals for funding, with the most creative and impactful ideas selected by a panel of volunteer judges.
2024 Bright Ideas Grant Recipients
About EnergyUnited
EnergyUnited Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) is the largest electric cooperative in North Carolina with 141,890 member connections. Headquartered in Statesville, EnergyUnited provides electric service in portions of 19 counties in west central North Carolina which include Alexander, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Wilkes and Yadkin. Visit energyunited.com to learn more about the cooperative’s energy services and community programs.