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Bright Ideas Are Rewarded!
October 24, 2011
2011 Bright Ideas Winners. Nineteen local teachers win classroom grants totaling over $16,000.
The Bright Ideas Brigade surprised this year's winning teachers the last week in October and awarded over $16,000 in grants to 18 local teachers! Congratulations to all of this year's winners and thank you to all of this year's applicants for your efforts in developing a creative learning environment for your students! You are appreciated!
Lamar County High School
Nina Shannon, of Lamar Co. High School, will use her $1000 grant to implement “Public Service Announcement.” Students will plan, shoot, and edit PSAs and learn about how the video production process works.
Lamar County Middle School
Joanne Raynie will use her $900 grant to implement “Math in Motion.” Students will improve their math skills through web-based technology and by using rap songs to grasp the concepts.
Bethany Todd received a $1000 grant for “Inquiry Based Science,” which will allow students to create experiment-based projects to learn about earthquakes, volcanoes, rocks, and minerals.
St. George's Episcopal School
Tracey Muise received $785 experiment with circuits using play-dough in “Squishy Circuits.” The students will compete to show whose circuit is designed the best.
Lamar County Primary School
Amy Christopher and Renee Ard were awarded a $1000 grant to put “Super Centers for Small Scientists” into action. Kindergarteners will now have a science lab center that includes a set of science tools, resource books, life cycle models, and more.
Bradley Weaver received $817 for his “Sound of Science” idea. Students will learn about sound vibrations and how microphones and recorders are similar to the ears and brain.
Donna Andrews received a $1000 grant for “Lights, Camera, You’re the Star!” Her 2nd grade students will create movies focused on a monthly theme based on grade level standards. They will use a laptop to edit the films and present them to their classmates.
Pike County Primary School
Wally Wetherbee received $1000 for his “Get Ship Shape” project, in which students will use motor skills through rhythm, music, and games. Wally also won the $250 Office Max gift card.
Mimi Roberts received $1000 for “Buddies, Not Bullies” where students will create and film a bullying incident then show how they resolved it while working in teams.
Gillian Appleton also received $1000. Her “Feed the Birds” project will have students observe the types of birds common to their area. They will also keep a weather station outside the classroom and observe the butterfly cycle.
April Gilbert was awarded $1000 for her project
“Magnificent Mini-Beasts.” Her students will create micro-aquariums and
observe the different types of bacteria that grow there with
microscopes.
Pike County Elementary School
Barbara Pittman will use her $1000 grant for “Celebrating America’s Future Writers." Each third grade student will produce his own book, complete with illustrations and a cover jacket.
Pike County High School
Greg Waits received a $1000 grant to implement “On Koi Pond.” Students will design and construct a filtered koi pond for the school.
Pike County Middle School
Dawn Lanca will use her $1000 grant to work on “The Veterans’ History Project.” Students interviewed veterans on Veterans Day and will send their submissions to the Library of Congress.
Mariah Banks will use her $1000 grant for her “Solar Racer” project. Her students will design and build a solar-powered car, then race them.
Janice Anderson received $1000 and will teach students good work ethics through “Job Ready, Set, Go” by reviewing ethical situations they may encounter on the job. They will also meet employers at a career fair.
CrossPointe Christian Academy
Yvonne Baboi will use her $550 grant for “Middle School Newspaper,” where students will design and write their own school paper.
Upson-Lee South Elementary
Kenya Smith received a $985 grant for “From Egg to Chick: The Life Cycle of a Chicken.” Her students will observe the incubation, hatching, and growth of chicks.
