Application

Bright Ideas Education Grant Program for Teachers

Purpose: The Bright Ideas program is designed to financially support classroom projects for which
funding is currently unavailable.

Eligibility: Applicant must be a Georgia certified teacher. Teacher may apply for one grant per school
year.

Grant Limit: Projects are open to all subjects and may be funded up to $1,000.

Selection Criteria: Projects must provide a creative learning experience for students, benefit and directly
involve student, contain a clearly defined plan of implementation and encourage teamwork among
students.

Grant Awards: Grants must be used within current school year. Applicants are required to submit a final
report about the grant and winning teachers agree to give Jefferson Energy Cooperative the right to use
their name, photo and information about the grant in publicity.

Deadline: All applications must be completed and received by Jefferson Energy Cooperative on or
before April 1, 2018. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Program Coordinator: Steve Chalker, Director of Public Relations

Jefferson Energy Cooperative
3077 Hwy 17 N
Wrens, GA 30833
Phone: 706-547-2167
Email: schalker@jec.coop

Please read carefully before completing!

Applications will not be considered if instructions are not followed completely .

• Do not include your name, the name of your county or school on pages 2, 3, or 4.
• You must use this form.
• Please adhere to the word limits.
• Do not attach any supplementary materials

1
About your project: (Please do not include your name, the name of your county or school.)

Project Name Improving Makerspaces in Media Center with Addition of 3D Printing Pens

Curriculum Areas All

Grade Level 9 - 12
Amount Requested $1000

Minimum needed to
fund project $699.99

Number of students
to benefit from project All THS students (1000+)

Will items purchased be

used for more than one
school year? Yes

Project Overview:
Summary – give an overview of the project (Limit 150 words)

A current trend in media centers around the nation is the evolution of Makerspaces. Makerspaces are
student-driven workstations that allow students to create, explore, and experiment as they engage in
STEAM-related activities. The Thomson High School media center currently has several Makerspaces
options, including spirographs, roller coaster building sets, Makey Makey, and VR headsets. One
popular tool that the media center does not have access to is a 3D printing tool or device. If awarded this
grant, the media center would be able to purchase a 3Doodler bundle, which includes six 3D pens and
materials. This would allow students the opportunity to engage in engineering and design as they create
3D models of their designs using the 3D printing process.

2
Creativity – Describe the creative elements of the project. (Limit 100 words)

By incorporating 3D printing pens and tools in the media center’s MakerSpaces, students design and
create 3D models for authentic tasks and purposes. Students designs are brought to life in a variety of
ways, with the essence of engineering, design principles, and other STEAM-related skills embedded
throughout the learning process.

Goals – What are the goals and objectives for students? (Limit 100 words)

The primary goal with incorporating 3D printing pens and tools into the MakerSpace is that students will
engage in inquiry-based learning by designing and implement 3D model projects. They will also
collaborate with their peers in the creating and learning process while using the 3D printing tools.
Another goal is that the 3D printing tools will be used in authentic learning tasks and assessments
through collaboration with subject-area and CTAE teachers.

Implementation – How will you implement this project? (Limit 100 words)

Once purchased, the media specialist will set up tools and devices in a secure location that is accessible
to students and teachers with supervision. The media specialist will promote the tools’ use through
communication with stakeholders and collaborative lessons/projects. The tools will be available as part
of the MakerSpace initiative of the media center.

3
Benefits – What are the immediate and/or ongoing benefits this project will provide students? (Limit
100 words)

Students will access to a technology and STEAM-related tool that was previously inaccessible to
students. Students will be engaged in STEAM and inquiry-based learning while using the tool. The
ongoing benefits include that STEAM learning initiatives will increase throughout the school which lead
to more authentic learning opportunities and experience for students as they leave the school into their
college and careers.

BUDGET
Itemized Project Budget (required)
https://www.stemfinity.com/3D-Printers-Supplies
Item Needed QuantityUnit Cost Total Cost Required?
Needed Y/N

3Doodler Create Half EDU Bundle

1 699.99 699.99 Y
3Doodler Start Plus DoodlePad 1 77.99 77.99 N
Bundle
3Doodler JetPack 2.0 2 39.99 79.98 N
3Doodler Start Lights Bundle 1 29.99 29.99 N
3Doodler Darks Bundle 1 29.99 29.99 N
3Doodler Nozzle Set 1 19.99 19.99 N

Total Project Cost (please estimate total cost to the nearest whole dollar) $937. 93
Will you accept partial funding? If so, how much __699.99__
If you receive partial funding, how will you fund the rest of your project? Fundraising efforts, including
morning café in media center

4
 Applicant Information

Teacher Applying for Grant (first and last name) Emily Horan

Title of Grant Project Improving Makerspaces in Media Center with Addition of 3D Printing Pens

Name of School Where Teacher Works Thomson High School

Grade(s) Applicant Teaches 9 - 12

School Street Address 1160 White Oak Rd.

School City Thomson State GA Zip 30824

School Phone Number 706-986-4200

Applicant’s Email Address horane@mcduffie.k12.ga.us

Applicant’s Signature _______________________________________________________

School Principal’s Signature__________________________________________________

Applicant Agreement

X I am a Georgia certified teacher. This is the only Bright Ideas application I have submitted for the
current school year. I agree, if I am selected, to submit a final report about the grant’s outcome. I also
agree that my name, photo and information about the grant may be used in publications by Jefferson
Energy Cooperative without compensation to me.

All applications must be received at Jefferson Energy Cooperative by September 29, 2017. Winners will be
announced in October. For more information, please call 706-547-2167, or email schalker@jec.coop.

Mail or email completed application to: Steve Chalker, Director of Public Relations
Jefferson Energy Cooperative
3077 Hwy 17 N
Wrens, GA 30833
schalker@jec.coop