Five Johnston County teachers won grants for classroom projects through the Bright Ideas program, sponsored by North Carolina's Touchstone Energy cooperatives.

Grants of up to $2000 are awarded to teachers throughout the state to improve classroom instruction.

According to Johnston County schools spokeswoman Terri Sessoms, the Johnston County winners are:

Sherrie Barber, a sixth grade science teacher at Selma Middle School. Barber's grant, titled "Watts Happening at Your House," earned her grant money to buy watt meters. Students will compare energy usage of different appliances and use math skills to calculate the number of kilowatt-hours used daily, weekly, or monthly. Students will then find ways to conserve energy.

Angela Barbour, a sixth grade language arts teacher at McGee's Crossroads Middle School. The name of her grant is "Reading in the Palm of your Hand."

Leatha Fields-Carey, an 11th grade teacher at Johnston County Middle College High. The topic of her grant is "You Are Not Forgotten: Vietnam Veterans Tell Their Stories."

Doug Pawlak, an eighth grade Social Studies at Riverwood Middle School. His topic is "Civil War Days." Pawlak plans to buy Civil War equipment and uniforms to outfit his class for a Civil War presentation in the spring.

Angela Totten, a fourth grade teacher at West View Elementary, wrote a grant to get 8 iPods for her classroom. She plans to use the iPods at a listening center for students and to download audio books.