Several Lexington-Richland School District Five classrooms will soon benefit from grants provided by the Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative (MCEC).
The Cooperative’s annual Bright Ideas program grants provide funding to teachers who have demonstrated innovative ideas for classroom projects. School District Five received nearly $6,500 in grants.
School District Five grant recipients include: Craig Andrysczyk (Oak Pointe Elementary School, 21st Century Engineering for Elementary Learners), Jaime Chason (Dutch Fork High School, Reborn Art), Dr. Paul Duggan (Leaphart Elementary School, Featherheads STEAM Club 4th Grade), Grace Fields (Dutch Fork High School, Outdoor Air Quality), Dr. Cherisha Floyd (Irmo High School, First Generation College Student Initiative), Heather Studer (Chapin Middle School, Collaborating in the Math Classroom), and Carl Tilson (Dutch Fork High School, Culturing Marine Algae for Bioremediation Research).
Teachers receiving this year’s grants were surprised by the “Bright Ideas Grant Patrol,” who traveled to their schools to bring their awards. Leaphart Elementary School will use their $1,000 grant money to create a bird observatory on campus. The grant will provide funding for a variety of bird feeders to attract diverse bird species, as well as pollinator plants that will help draw birds to the area. Students will use the observatory to learn how to identify local birds in their community and keep records to share with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Students will learn about the unique adaptations and behaviors of local birds. The grant will also be used to buy hummingbird feeders and flowers to support the Ruby-throated Hummingbird population, with student-collected data being contributed to Project Ruby Throat.
“I am grateful to Mid-Carolina for providing this grant to teach our students about the important role birds play in our plants and communities,” Duggan said. “This hands-on learning experience will give students a deeper appreciation for local wildlife and how to support bird habitats.”
Irmo High School counselor Dr. Cherisha Floyd said the $1,000 grant will be used by the Irmo High School Counseling Department to significantly expand efforts in helping high school students who will be the first in their families to attend college. The First-Generation College Student Group also known as “First-Gen Hive”, is designed to provide targeted support, resources, and opportunities to ensure these students have the tools and confidence to successfully navigate the college admissions process.
“With the newly awarded funds, I am excited to offer even more personalized guidance and access to resources that will make a lasting impact on students’ futures,” Floyd said. “This grant will enable me to take this initiative to the next level. First-generation students face unique challenges, and these funds will help us offer critical resources to ensure that they not only apply to and enroll in college but thrive throughout their academic journey. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative for their ongoing commitment to supporting educators as we prepare and inspire the next generation of leaders.”
This year’s awards mark the 20th annual Bright Ideas program recognition. Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative gave more than $19,000 in grants to teachers in several districts this year.
Bob Paulling, President and CEO of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, highlighted the program’s importance, saying, “Supporting educators, students, and classrooms is an integral part of our cooperative’s mission. By investing in education, we are investing in the future of our community.”
