Barnwell County School District Teachers Awarded SRNS Innovative Teaching Mini Grants

Barnwell County School District (BCSD) is proud to announce that five of its educators have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Innovative Teaching Mini Grants, earning a collective total of $3,500 to support
innovative classroom projects across the district.

The SRNS Innovative Teaching Mini Grants Program is a highly competitive initiative that provides funding for materials,  equipment, and supplies that enhance hands-on, engaging learning experiences for students. This year, 109 educators were selected from 329 applicants across the CSRA, highlighting what an honor it was to be chosen as a winning proposal.

The following BCSD educators and projects were recognized:

• Robert Fulmer, Barnwell County Career Center — “Training the Eye: Preparing Students for Welding Quality Control” ($1,000)
• Shanna Mae Bea, Blackville-Hilda High School — “Epoxy Explorations: A Study of Volume” ($500)
• Maria Atieza Collado, Guinyard-Butler Middle School — “Waves and Technology: How Digital Devices Transmit Information” ($500)
• Hannah Johnson, Guinyard-Butler Middle School — “Activities Related to Ideals, Facts, and Culture Teaching Strategies (ARTIFACTS)” ($1,000)
• Charlette Epps, Macedonia Elementary-Middle School — “Fundamental Robotics” ($500)

“These grants are a reflection of the creativity and dedication our teachers bring to their classrooms every day,” said  Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton. “We are incredibly grateful to Savannah River Nuclear Solutions for investing in our educators and, most importantly, in the learning experiences of our students. Opportunities like this allow our teachers to bring innovative ideas to life and inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and leaders.”

To celebrate this achievement, SRNS will host a Mini Grants Awards Reception on Thursday, May 21st in Aiken, South Carolina, where recipients will be recognized and the district will receive the awarded funds.

BCSD extends its sincere appreciation to SRNS for its continued partnership and commitment to education across the region. This investment directly supports the district’s mission to provide innovative and engaging learning environments for all students.

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Barnwell County School District Teachers Awarded SRNS Innovative Teaching Mini Grants

For more information, contact:
Barnwell County School District Superintendent Office
Phone: (803) 541-3590
Email: cstapleton@bcsd.net