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Union Power Cooperative

Celebrating 30 Years of Bright Ideas

Cochrane Collegiate Academy

Bright Ideas winner

Harold E. Winkler Middle

Bright Ideas winner

Union Academy Charter

Bright Ideas winner

Stallings Elementary

Bright Ideas winner

West Cabarrus High

The Bright Ideas grant program, sponsored by North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, has dedicated itself to improving education in North Carolina classrooms since 1994. Since then, the program has expanded for more than two decades, encouraging teachers to share innovative projects to help students further their education.

“Teachers play a vital role in motivating and inspiring our youth to become future leaders. The Bright Ideas grant program provides an opportunity to enhance education and create a fun and dynamic learning environment. Empowering our educators brings their creativity to life and strengthens our communities, ensuring a brighter future for all,” said Emily Aldridge, communications/public relations specialist.

Congratulations to the following 2024 Bright Ideas grant recipients:

  • Vanessa Shields
    Wolfe School | Union County
    W-O-L-F-E Sensory (Wolfe Opportunity Learning For Education)
    $1,990
  • Adam Haas
    Rocky River Elementary | Union County
    Students Today, Doctors of Tomorrow
    $2,000
  • Kristin O’Neill
    Rocky River Elementary | Union County
    Electric Connections in a SNAP!
    $1,995
  • Nadene Tracy
    Union Academy Charter | Union County
    Physics in Real-Time
    $1,855
  • Jeff Starnes
    Union Academy Charter | Union County
    Hey UA! Let’s Go For The Au (Gold)!
    $1,996
  • Amy Erb
    Stallings Elementary | Union County
    Project AirBB&B
    $1,000
  • Michelle Jordan
    Forest Hills High | Union County
    Jacket’s General Store
    $1,000
  • Jessica Young
    Cochrane Collegiate Academy | Mecklenburg County
    Building Community in Learning Gardens
    $1,319
  • Deidre Mallow
    Independence High | Mecklenburg County
    Culinary Cravings Innovative Garden
    $1,000
  • Maria Murray
    Patriots STEM Elementary | Cabarrus County
    Patriots STEM/Garden Upgrade
    $1,815
  • Madison Liddle
    Harold E. Winkler Middle | Cabarrus County
    Sensory Central
    $800
  • Trudy Mertz
    West Cabarrus High | Cabarrus County
    Living and Learning Adaptive Independence
    $478
  • Kara Landers
    Northwest Cabarrus High | Cabarrus County
    Northwest Cabarrus Trojan Cafe
    $1,075
  • Heather Shulman
    Hickory Ridge Elementary | Cabarrus County
    Storytime Meets STEM: Interactive Learning with Bee Bot Robots
    $1,150
  • Jennifer LJ Crawford
    Oakboro Choice STEM | Stanly County
    A Recipe for Learning: A Mobile Kitchen to Spice up K8 Education
    $82

Teachers: Apply now

Beginning April 1, teachers are encouraged to visit union-power.com/brightideas to apply for a grant through its deadline of Sept. 15.

Learn more

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