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Bright Ideas
The Palmetto Electric Trust and Palmetto Electric Cooperative
offers Bright Ideas, a grant program to provide funding for innovative classroom-based
education projects. Since its inception in 2004, a total of 79 grants have been awarded
in Hampton, Jasper, and southern Beaufort counties totaling more than $70,000.
Bright Ideas grants are intended to fund projects outside
normal public school funding parameters and are available
to all disciplines in grades K-12 in southern Beaufort, Jasper
and Hampton counties. They are not for professional development.
A school may submit more than one application, but a teacher
is limited to one application per school year.
With the focus these days on the environment and finding ways
to generate more green power, two of our 2007 winners came up with
innovative projects that promote awareness of protecting our
environment and utilizing different renewable energy sources
available on our planet.
Here’s looking at you
Cory Tressler, a technology teacher at the Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, was a
grant winner for his project that he hopes will create a deeper understanding of the South Carolina Science
Standards. This past winter, a platform was set atop a pole located in front of the school. Tressler hopes
the platform will attract osprey to nest. A Web page will be developed that will display digital photos
and video clips, as well as student writings and art work that reflect their understanding of the needs and
characteristics of the osprey as they interact in their own environment.
Survivor: Energy Island
Dr. Sarah Baird teaches grades 3–6 at Sea Pines Montessori Academy on Hilton Head Island. Her project,
“Survivor: Energy Island,” offers students a glimpse into the different renewable energy sources available
on our planet.Using a commercially available Power House Kit from Thames & Kosmos, the children will work
through a series of experiments to build a house and survive on a remote island using only renewable energy
sources.Students will study four main sources of renewable energy: solar, wind, electrochemical, and plant energy.
If you have any questions about the grant program or application
procedures please contact your local Palmetto Electric office
or e-mail us at .
2007 Bright Ideas Grant Winners
View photos of the 2007 Bright Ideas Winning Teachers
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