Union Power Cooperative, in conjunction with our statewide organization, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, is a proud sponsor of the Bright Ideas Educational Grant program. This program awards grants to support innovative, creative teaching initiatives that cannot be covered by traditional school funding. The grants are awarded for projects in any discipline and are intended to help teachers by acquiring needed materials, teaching units, and hands-on opportunities to enhance their students' learning experience.
Since 1994, North Carolina's electric cooperatives have granted over $7.1 million dollars to teachers for their innovative projects benefiting more than 1.2 million students.
Union Power Cooperative's Bright Ideas Educational Grant Program has contributed more than $208,100 to 231 teaching projects throughout our five-county regions. These projects have influenced thousands of students. Through replication, these projects will continue to enhance the quality of education for years to come.
Union Power Cooperative will take applications for Bright Ideas Grants beginning in April each year. Awards are given out during Bright Ideas Week in November. Applications will be available online at: www.ncbrightideas.com. The deadline to submit your application for the 2010 - 2011 school year is September 24, 2010. All applications received by August 16, will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Visa gift card.
For more information, e-mail Carrie Cameron or call (704) 289-3145, ext. 3273.
Union Power Funded $20,635 in Bright Ideas!
Congratulations to our 2009/2010 Winners
| Grant Winner | School | County | Name of Grant |
| Margaret Cuthbertson | Charles E. Boger Elementary | Cabarrus | Weather Beacons |
| Beth Smithson | Mt. Pleasant Elementary | Cabarrus | Woven in Time |
| Erica Alcox | Garinger High | Mecklenburg | Seeds of Change |
| Traci Thompson | Rockwell Elementary | Rowan | A Garden to Grow on! |
| Kristina Cole | Albemarle High | Stanly | Building Community with Soil |
| Pam Grant | Running Creek Elementary | Stanly | Star Students Shine |
| Ann Landwehr | Kensington Elementary | Union | Pen-Pals Around the World |
| David B. Dahari | Marvin Ridge High | Union | Computer Programming in Physics & Chemistry |
| Christine Wilson | New Town Elementary | Union | New Town Notables |
| Susan Helms | Piedmont High | Union | Saggar Pottery - Footprints of Carbon |
| Kelly Gallagher | Piedmont Middle | Union | Around the World in 180 Days |
| Brenda Todd | Rocky River Elementary | Union | On the Wings of Learning |
| Melissa LoPresto | Sandy Ridge Elementary | Union | Wii Love Music and Physical Science |
Mary Beth Woodall |
Sun Valley High |
Union | Electric Chairs |
| Doug Latta | Sun Valley High |
Union | Growing Green for the Community |
| Teresa Matheson | Wesley Chapel Elementary | Union | Podcast Parade |
| Miranda Thomas | Western Union Elementary | Union | Economy for Kids and The Eagle's Cafe |