From sensory gardens to student-constructed ferris wheels, Berkeley County School District teachers have some innovative projects in the works.
Thirty educators/employees from 15 BCSD schools were able to secure funding – either individually or as a team – through Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s 2023 Bright Ideas Education Program.
The program supports innovative and effective classroom education curriculum that cannot be covered by traditional school financing. Individual teachers can apply for grants up to $1,000 while teams of teachers are eligible for grants up to $1,500.
Teachers in public and private schools, K-12 in Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s service area are eligible to participate. Grants are awarded for projects in any discipline and are intended to help teachers within Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s service area produce a better-educated workforce. The grants are designed to help teachers introduce innovative teaching methods.
Grants are awarded annually in a competitive evaluation process. This year, with the support of the community, Berkeley Electric was able to distribute more than $35,000 to 30 different educational projects across the Lowcountry, supporting teachers and their classrooms.
Congratulations to H.E Bonner Elementary's school librarian Melissa Mills on winning a Bright Ideas Grant!
Mills named her project “Lego Innovation” because her grant earnings are all about Legos. Mills said the grant will be used for a Lego robot, a Lego robot expansion pack, Lego sets and Lego boards. Students will be able to utilize the Legos as part of the school’s robotics club, but Mills also plans to use the Legos for instruction during students’ library time as well. Students will be able to better compete in robotics competitions, solve innovative projects and design models with all the Lego accoutrements.