Five Lexington Two Educators Awarded Bright Ideas Grants from Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative

West Columbia, SC 10/16/2025 - Five Lexington School District Two educators have been awarded Bright Ideas grants from Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative for innovative school projects. They are:

Amanda Altman, a science teacher and department head at Airport High School, has been awarded $1,000 for her project "Data At Their Fingertips: Modern Tools for Future Scientists.” The grant primarily for her Chemistry I and AP Chemistry classes  will purchase two wireless chemistry starter bundle probes that measure pH, pressure, temperature, voltage, and conductivity.  She said the project wll integrate wireless data collection technology to transform chemistry labs into dynamic, inquiry-based environments, allowing students to collect and visualize real-time data and make immediate connections between theory and results. 

Kimberly Hardin, a science teacher at Brookland-Cayce High School, has been awarded $1,000 for her project "From Ecosystem to Inquiry: An Aquatic Learning Lab for STEM and Environmental Literacy.” The grant will help Hardin create a classroom aquarium as a living laboratory where AP students will investigate ecosystems, water quality, and nutrient cycles;   Hardin received a grant last year, and this year’s will build on that, allowing her students closer study of water quality variables and marine ecosystems. She said the aquarium will provide students daily opportunities to connect biology, chemistry, and environmental science while fostering curiosity, data skills, and collaboration.

Ryann Gaffney, a special education teacher at Busbee Creative Arts Academy, has been awarded $800 for her project “Pouring Possibilities: A Coffee and Soda Experience,” 

to provide students with intellectual disabilities hands-on experience to build work and transition skills. Gaffney said the student-run coffee and soda shop will help her students gain real-world work experience in money-handling, time management, and teamwork to grow their job readiness, social skills, and confidence. 

Brooke Jones, a fourth-grade teacher at Riverbank Elementary School, has been awarded $999.70 for her project "Roller Coaster Engineering,” to purchase roller coaster engineering kits. Instead of simply reading about force, motion, and energy, Jones said students will actively design and build functioning roller coasters. The project integrates math, science,and engineering while encouraging creativity and perseverance. By testing their models, Jones said students will engage in authentic trial-and-error learning, reflecting the work of real engineers.

Olivia Loynes, an ELA teacher at Northside Middle School, has been awarded $800 for her project “Hear Us Out: Amplifying Middle School Voices Through Podcasting,” to purchase equipment and create a podcast studio. Loynes said students will have a space to write, record, and share their podcasts, strengthening their literacy skills by creating book reviews, sharing stories, and interviewing school and community members. They will also strengthen collaboration skills and take on responsibility of their roles within the larger team. Students will be able to share their voices and ideas beyond the walls of our classroom, publishing their podcasts for our school and local community to hear and enjoy.

Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative awarded more than $19,000 in grants this year to teachers in areas that they serve to support local educators and their students in innovative project work. Lexington Two educators will be honored along with other grant winners at a luncheon later this month.

Northside Middle School teacher Olivia Loynes, second from right, with Erin Hedgecock of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative and Northside administrators: Principal Dr. Tiffany Hall, right, Assistant Principal Bryson Summers, left, and Assistant Administrator Rebecca Helms

Brookland-Cayce High School teacher Kimberly Hardin, right, with Erin Hedgecock of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative.

Busbee Creative Arts Academy teacher Ryann Gaffney, right, with Erin Hedgecock of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative.

Riverbank Elementary teacher Brooke Jones, center, with Riverbank Principal Dr. Karen Holloman, right, and Erin Hedgecock of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative

Airport High School teacher Amanda Altman, right, with Erin Hedgecock of Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative.