Contact: Haley Miller (336) 370-3200
Created: 11/25/2009 10:37:56 AM

Pearce Elementary teacher Angela Osborne and Archer Elementary teacher Brandy Pinnix Widener each received a Bright Ideas Grant from Energy United. Representatives from Energy United presented checks to the two teachers on Tuesday.

The Bright Ideas program was started in 1994 and has donated more than $5.9 million to schools within Energy United's service area. Teachers submitted applications last April and were recently notified of their selection. A panel of judges, who score applicants on their innovation, how many students will benefit from the program and how well the plan was presented, selects the winners. Of the 172 applications, 26 were given grants this year.

While many of the program ideas submitted only receive partial funding, Osborne received the full amount of $1,995. Her program, Successful Science, will benefit students in grades K-5 by purchasing nonfiction books to help build vocabulary and knowledge of scientific concepts.

Because of her exceptionally high score, Widener was awarded the maximum allotted amount of $2,000. Her program, Teaming Up and Taking it Home, will benefit students in grades K-2. The money will be used to purchase science kits to allow hands-on learning of math and science. The goal of this program is to increase the desire to learn, to help second-graders read on grade level and to improve math scores of every student. The program also will send work home with students so that parents can become more engaged with their child's education.

For photos, click here.