STATESVILLE  – EnergyUnited has awarded more than $42,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to 45 teachers to fund innovative classroom projects.

Students at schools in Rowan, Alexander, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell and Mecklenburg counties will participate in projects funded by EnergyUnited.

“Educators who win Bright Ideas grants are going above and beyond for their students,” said Maureen Moore, communications manager of EnergyUnited. “We’re excited to support their innovative and creative learning initiatives through the Bright Ideas program each year.”

Bright Ideas grants will be used to pay for units in robotics, renewable energy, technology, multicultural music and more.

Winners from Rowan County include Georgianna Karriker, of China Grove Elementary School, $1,193; Ashley Miller, of North Rowan High School, $1,623; Nita Jarvis, of Isenberg Elementary, $750; Hannah Walser, of North Rowan Elementary, $750; Julia Kraft, of China Grove Elementary, $1,488; Erin Brinkley, of Sacred Heart Catholic School, $1,200; Tori Cardea, of West Rowan High, $1,000; and Linda Dearman, of Cool Spring Elementary, $675.

Since the Bright Ideas grant program began in 1994, EnergyUnited has contributed more than $800,000 to local teachers.

Grant applications are collected from April through mid-September, and winning proposals are selected by a panel of judges. The application process will reopen in April.

For more information about the Bright Ideas grant program, visit www.energyunited.com/bright-ideas-program.