On November 19, 2018, Tideland EMC presented $13,888 in Bright Ideas Classroom Grants to teachers from eight local schools. Over 1,600 students will benefit from the funding of these innovative and hands-on projects.

Susan Leggett Davis, Damon Walcott & Milton Dail

Washington High School
Eastern NC Storm Tales

Science, journalism, and art students will collaborate to create a written and visual documentary of folklore stories of eastern NC storms that will be shared through publication of a book that includes weather event explanations and personal narratives of storm; displaying storm artwork; and a premier of the documentary.

Elizabeth Harwick

Pamlico County Middle School
CNN: Canes Nation News

Students will be using technology to develop a news show that highlights events and activities at our school. Students will be videoing, editing, processing, writing and publishing all aspects of the news show. This news program will be especially impactful this school year since the PCMS student body is split between two facilities while their own school undergoes remediation work following flooding by Hurricane Florence. 

Heather Summers

Chocowinity MIddle School
Mud In Motion

Funds will be used to purchase a pottery wheel, clay and glazes for the school’s art program. 

Lisa Baker

Chocowinity Middle School
Harnessing the Wind

Earlier this year, all students and faculty at CMS read “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.” The Bright Ideas funds will be used to purchase wind and solar energy kits. Students will work in teams to construct their own renewable energy projects to better understand both the scientific principles of energy and the obstacles author William Kamkwamba had to overcome to build his own windmill. (We’ll have an exciting follow-up to this project in the February issue of Tideland Topics)

Ashley Etheredge

West Craven Middle School
Practice Makes Perfect: Implementing SmartMusic in Middle School Band

This project supports the implementation of SmartMusic technology as an interactive practice tool for students. The SmartMusic app transforms the way students practice by providing immediate feedback on their performance. The student’s recording is also sent to the music teacher for additional comments. SmartMusic allows students to virtually take the music teacher home to make better use of individual practice time.

Melissa Boyd

Bath Elementary
Let’s Go!

Student teams in seventh grade science classes will perform hands-on exercises to learn about motion and speed and change in position over time. Bright Ideas funds will be used to purchase a Vernier LabQuest Mini Interface, motion detectors and other materials for the group study.

Karen Glass

Terra Ceia Christian School
Rabbit Shelter

Funds will be used to purchase an 18’ x 21’ carport shelter to house 2 new rabbit hutches for the school’s rabbit breeding program. Agriculture students will learn about rabbit care and species reproduction and hone the necessary presentation skills to show their rabbits at competition.

Jessica Crider & Amy Potter

Pungo Christian Academy
A Person’s A Person

Learning challenged students will use simple, basic tools to learn problem solving, improve their ability to focus, and improve engagement and communication with others in a classroom setting. As students build these skills they will in turn share and teach their peers to reinforce their own learning and improve social interactions. 

Stephen Nichols

Manteo High School
Camera & Journalistic Career: Planning Alive

The school’s journalism students will write, edit and produce career and higher education planning guides to encourage early career exploration by their peers. Topics will include student financial aid options and how to create a personal career portfolio.