Eleven District 5 Teachers Win Grants for 'Bright Ideas'

Teachers in Lexington-Richland Five earned a total of 11 grants for their innovative classroom ideas, thanks to the Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (MCEC) Bright Ideas grant program.

MCEC CEO Jack Wolfe said, “The idea behind Bright Ideas is to help empower good teachers and to provide support outside of normal public school funding for great projects that deserve to be used in the classroom.” 

Superintendent Stephen Hefner added, “The projects funded by MCEC will have a positive impact on teaching and learning in District Five. This is a great example of the wonderful support we receive from businesses in our community.”

Grant winners and a summary of their proposals include:

APPS for the Arts – Sharon Watkins - Seven Oaks Elementary: Throughout the year in music class, all students will take turns using music apps (including Garage Band) on two iPads.  With this hands-on, interactive experience, the students will be provided new and different ways to meet State Music Standards, while being exposed to very current technological tools.

App-ealing to Little Learners: Using the iPad to Promote Language and Literacy – Melissa Toole - H. E. Corley Elementary: This project will improve the language program for Child Development and kindergarten students. The iPad will serve as a mobile classroom where apps purchased will be used in a variety of interactive activities and stories that support language standards.

Popcorn Pavilion – Laura Adair, Beth Huebner, Jane Alexander, Pollyanna Buff and Andrea Baker - Irmo Elementary: Popcorn Pavilion will add pizzazz, excitement, and energy (all the while learning math, researching skills, reading, and writing) students’ instructional day. Students will learn valuable entrepreneurial skills that will help prepare them for the 21st century global economy.

Blooming Windows - Jennie Williams - Irmo Elementary: The project will provide a clay slab roller to be used in construction of ceramic window box gardens.  The slab roller will help with stability and longevity of the boxes.  The garden club will use their knowledge of science and gardening to plant each box after construction is completed.

Thinking Outside the BRICK - Jennifer Metts, Beth Bennett and Candace Snyder - Oak Pointe Elementary: Thinking Outside the BRICK encourages self expression and builds community.  Using the popular LEGO Build to Express series, students work cooperatively, developing high level thinking and application skills, as well as cultivating interpersonal skills needed to be successful adults.

School Based Enterprise Business - Norma Brown - Dutch Fork High School:The marketing class plans to create a school-based business using kiosks to sell spirit wear and other items to students and staff.  This store would be the foundation for the school of business program, allowing the students hands-on experience with various aspects of running a business.

A mini-grant program supporting student initiated research - Langdon Warner - Dutch Fork High School: Dutch Fork High offers a research course for students interested in science, technology, and engineering.  Students execute year-long projects which are reviewed by outside experts and they present at state and national science fairs.  The "mini-grant" program will support energy-related projects. Emulating the university level grant process, students write a proposal (reviewed by teachers and administrators) and compete for funds. Successful mini-grants will provide supplies and equipment with an award of $150 per grant.

Listening for Learning - Geri Algar - Irmo Elementary: This technology/literacy project uses Easi-Speak microphones and equipment to engage, encourage, and assess student reading, writing and learning across the curriculum.  The USC connection creates a digital portfolio for each student across time which can be shared with other educators and parents.  The classroom teachers will respond with differentiated instruction.

Getting Our Stitch On – Laura Johnson - Harbison West Elementary: This project will allow fourth and fifth grade students the opportunity to attend an after school sewing club, "Getting Our Stitch On."  Once students are taught the basic sewing skills and dewing safety, they will be inspired to sew utilizing step-by-step directions as well as guidance from teachers.

Learning Through iPads for Students with Autism - Scott Thur and Kelly Thacker - Irmo Middle School: Will use iPads to make the inaccessible accessible for autistic students.  They will be used in all academic and functional domains. 

Money, Money, Money – MONEY – Morgan Rohrbaugh - Irmo Elementary:Through playing games, using a cash register, manipulating magnetic money and many other different works through play students will be able to master their learning of money throughout the year.

Submitted by Lexington-Richland 5's Office of Public Information