HTC and HEC launched the Bright Ideas program in January 2007 with the hopes of providing funding for innovative classroom-based education projects.  “Bright Ideas” grants are intended to fund projects outside normal public school funding parameters and can be made available to all disciplines in grades K-12 in Horry County.  A school may submit an application, and teachers are limited to one application per year.

“Many teachers develop innovative classroom projects, but do not have the funds to implement the projects,” said Nicole Hyman, HTC Senior Marketing Coordinator.  “HTC and HEC launched the Bright Ideas program to help fund those projects.” 

HTC and HEC recently visited four schools in the area to deliver nearly $4,000 in grant money.  Michelle Thompson, Media Specialist at Kingston Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase a Smartboard to enhance instruction in the Media Center and Computer Lab. 

Joanne Rabon, teacher at Whittemore Park Middle School, received $950 to purchase Virtual Job Shadowing software to offer students the opportunity to experience an actual occupation without leaving the classroom. 

Vivien Vega-Leon, Spanish teacher at Forestbrook Middle School, received $1,000 to purchase Wacom Pen Tablets to help create differential teaching techniques at one time.  The Graphire tablet allows for immediate visual support as well as student interaction. 

And, Amy Truett, a child development teacher at Pee Dee Elementary, received $1,000 to purchase a Smartboard to make lessons appeal to all types of learners and bring a form of technology into the classroom that children are not always exposed to in their lives. 

The Bright Ideas grant program is just one of the many programs HTC and HEC implement in the educational sector of Horry County. 

For more information about the Bright Ideas grant program or other educational programs for local schools, click HERE.

Feel free to contact Nicole Hyman, HTC Senior Marketing Coordinator at 369-8498 or Toni Gore, HEC Marketing and Public Relations Assistant at 369-6359. 

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Michelle Thompson, Kingston Elementary and Toni Gore, HEC.

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC; Linda Jones, Kim McCray, Joanne Rabon, and Toni Gore, HEC.

Nicole Hyman, HTC and Toni Gore, HEC, present the Forestbrook Middle team with their check.

(from left to right) Nicole Hyman, HTC, Amy Truett, Melissa Dorman, and Toni Gore, HEC.