The Bright Ideas education grant program, which awards funding to N.C. teachers in grades K-12 for innovative classroom-based projects, is accepting applications.

North Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives, including Central Electric, have earmarked more than $590,000 to distribute to teachers this coming school year. The final deadline to apply is Sept. 23, and educators who apply by Aug. 15 will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Visa gift card.

"Central Electric is proud to support our teachers whose creative and impactful educational programs truly make a difference for our children," said Janet Trevino, energy use and information specialist. "We hope this year even more teachers will apply by Aug. 15 and have a chance to win the $500 Visa gift card."

Certified K-12 teachers are eligible to apply for Bright Ideas grants of up to $2,000 for creative projects that would otherwise go unfunded. Teachers can learn about the Bright Ideas program and apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com.

The drawing for the gift card will be held on Sept. 1, and the winning teacher will be notified immediately and recognized on the Bright Ideas website and Facebook page.

Since the Bright Ideas program began in 1994, the electric cooperatives have awarded more than $7.3 million in grant money to North Carolina's teachers to sponsor more than 7,000 projects benefiting more than 1.3 million students.

The grant application includes an explanation and outline of the proposed project, its creative elements and its benefit to students in the classroom. A list of participating schools, a sample application and featured grants are available on the Bright Ideas website, along with contact information for Bright Ideas program administrators.

The Bright Ideas education grant program is part of Central Electric's ongoing commitment to the community. >