Franklin County Schools Celebrates Educators' Success in Securing Bright Ideas Grants from Wake Electric

News Release: Franklin County Schools Celebrates Educators' Success in Securing Bright Ideas Grants from Wake Electric

November 28th, 2023

Louisburg, NC -- Franklin County Schools is thrilled to announce that three of our educators have been awarded the 2023-2024 Bright Ideas grants by Wake Electric. These grants of support for educational creativity are set to enhance classroom experiences across various disciplines in our schools.

Innovative Learning Initiatives Funded:

• Tracy Prince from Franklinton High School received $1,500 for podcasting equipment to start a student-led podcast. This project aims to give students a platform for expression and skill development in digital media.
• Katarzyna Poleszak of Franklin County Early College High School was awarded $700 for a KUTA software subscription. This tool serves as a Test and Worksheet Generator, enriching curriculum in algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, and more.
• Kathryn Tharrington at Bunn Elementary School secured $3,000 for robotics equipment. Her project promises to revolutionize STEM education for K-5 students, fostering an early interest in technology and engineering.

Funding Through Community Efforts:

According to the Wake Electric website, the Bright Ideas grants are primarily funded through Wake Electric Membership Corporation (WEMC) members' contributions via the Operation RoundUp program. This unique initiative involves members rounding up their electric bills to the nearest dollar, with the extra cents pooling into a significant fund for community projects. The North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), based in Raleigh, NC, also provides partial funding. The NCEMC is a family of corporations designed to support the state's 27 electric cooperatives.

The collaboration of our community and these organizations illustrates a shared commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for our students. Franklin County Schools thanks the WEMC members, the Operation RoundUp program, and the NCEMC for their generous support. We are excited to witness the positive impacts of these projects on our students' learning experiences.