Tri-County EMC Bright Ideas Grants Fuel Innovative Classroom Projects

Posted on Feb 21, 2013 at 12:00 AM

This month Tri-County EMC surprised 16 local teachers with $19,976.89 in educational grants. Since 2008, Tri-County EMC has provided nearly $100,000 in grants to local schools. Funded by unclaimed capital credits, the grants help teachers imnprove education in their classrooms through innovative projects that would otherwise not be funded. Georgi certified public or private school teachers in grades Pre-K through 12 in Baldwin, Jones, Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties qualify to apply.

Outside juges evaluated 60 blind applications for innovation, goals, objectives, student involvement, and budget. A total of 16 grants were funded. Thanks to all teachers who applied in 2012-2013 and we look forward to seeing your applications in 2013-2014. The Bright Ideas Grant winners are listed below.

 

Baldwin County

Pam Longino, Blandy Hills Elementary School
21st Century Technology Creating 21st Century Minds: $1,410.88
This project will allow students to flex their creative muscles by preparing a multimedia presentation using iPads, iMovie, Keynote and Pages. After completion, students will act as the teacher and present their projects to the class.


Lindell Dillon, Georgia College Early College
Article of the Week: $1,424.59
Students will be asked to read one current events article from a pre-approved publication each week. By noting areas of confusion, understanding, questions, comments and connections to classroom content, students will be challenged and be able to apply these skills to real world content and learn the value of staying up-to-date on news.



Jones County

Dennis Woolfolk, Jones County High School
P.E.P.: “Let’s Get Physical”: $931.44
This project is a combination of classroom and activity-based learning with a focus on wellness and comprehension of skills and concepts needed for students to become lifelong monitors of their own personal fitness. Students will participate in a youth fitness program in which they will be challenged through endurance, flexibility, strength and aerobic exercise. The goal is for students to be empowered and feel better about themselves both mentally and physically, leading to higher self-esteem.



Kristie Knighton, Jones County High School
Using iPads to Educate and Inspire: $1,500
Students will have an enhanced learning environment with the help of four iPad minis. The iPads will be used to aid reluctant learners and help all students accelerate their analysis and synthesis skills in upper level literature. Students will use apps to make video presentations based on literary works, demonstrate quote integration and learn Shakespeare piece-by-piece.


Cathy Logue, Dames Ferry Elementary School           
Engaging Young Mathematicians: $1,439.01
Students will have a deeper conceptual understanding of mathematic principles by using math manipulatives. The fourth grade teachers will purchase hands-on math materials to teach a wide range of math concepts including multiplication, fractions, area, perimeter, arrays and decimals, just to name a few. With these manipulatives, students will not lose valuable time due to lack of materials.


Traci Andrews, Dames Ferry Elementary School
K.I.N.D. Lessons for Kindergartners: $1,500
Kindergarten students will use a Smartboard to teach lessons they learn in class to their peers while their parents and teacher look on. This will keep the attention span of students, encourage them to use their teamwork skills and show off what they have learned.


Sherri Appleby: Wells Elementary School
Big Books for Little Peeps: $784.30
Kindergarten students will look forward to reading with big books. Oversized books, or big books, are a literacy tool used to provide visual appeal, help increase phonemic awareness, fluency, accuracy, comprehension and vocabulary. Big books will be used in a whole-class setting and in small groups.


Carla Whatley, Dames Ferry Elementary
Using Technology To Improve Their Future: $567.95
Students working below grade level will use tablets independently to improve their reading and math skills. Skills practiced on tablets will be assessed through oral quizzes and written math fact and sight word tests.


Heather Jackson, Gray Elementary School
Successful Centers for First Year Teacher: $396.19
Kindergarten students will be able to apply the lessons they learned in class during their center time. Students will complete creative, hands on projects related to their lesson with the supplies purchased from this grant.

 

Putnam County

Lisa McElhannon, Gatewood School
iPads For The 4th Grade Classroom: $1,377.90
This project will place iPads in the 4th grade classroom to be used to remediate, reinforce and enhance academic experiences in all subject areas. By combining intrigue of technology and active learning experience that iPads can provide, 4th graders will become involved in a new, fun way of learning.


Julie Wade, Putnam County High School
S.T.E.M.ing to a Greener Future: $1,377.44
Students will explore the world of engineering by building on advanced robotic systems and collaborating in teams to solve real-world problems. Students will first create robots, then build the robots and display their robots in competition. They will also build simulations of power plants, turbines and dams.

Caroline Davis, Putnam County Middle School
iCan with iPad: $1,500.00
Students in math class will be able to make math fun using iPads. The iPads will be loaded with math games the students can play in a classroom center that will enforce basic math skills the students are missing and build confidence in their math ability.

Mary Sue McMichael, Putnam County Middle School
Math: “A Reel Challenge”: $1,499.90
This enrichment program will allow students to work in groups to solve non-routine math problems. As students work through the problems, they will be asked to pick one that they believe can have a video solution. The students will then work in teams to storyboard, film and edit their solutions. Each team will select their best video to enter into the “Reel Math Challenge,” sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

Cindy Mize, Putnam County Primary School
Garden Club-School Orchard: $1,388.70
Students will be able to add to their current vegetable garden by planting a fruit orchard. Students will learn about the growth process and of the fruit plants and harvest them when they are ripe to use in the school cafeteria. The growth of the garden and orchard will be monitored by students for years to come.

Leanne Brice, Putnam County High School
Get Your Netbook On!: $1,392
Netbooks will allow students in this class to complete supplemental activities on their own level and at their own pace. Students will have access to the netbooks in the classroom after their daily in-class lessons.

Yvette Staton, Putnam County Elementary School
iThink, iCan, iPod: $1,486.59
Students will be able to use iPods to develop math fact fluency and vocabulary skills, creating building blocks for all academic areas. The iPods will be set up as a small group center activity with a specific assignment given each day. Along with supplemental education, students will also increase their technological competency.


To view photos from the Bright Ideas Presentations, visit us on Facebook!

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