Clorox Moves School Programs to the Head of the Class; Awarding $200,000 to Students for Brighter Futures

Power A Bright Future Grant Program Continues for Fourth Year – Seven Grants to be Awarded to Schools

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the 2012 school year begins, keeping up with the latest technology has gone from the living room to the classroom. A recent study found that 77% of teachers know it's important to embrace tech as it boosts student motivation(1). Unfortunately, not all schools have the resources to implement these innovative programs. According to the same study, one in five teachers is still looking to bring more of today's tech to the classroom(2). That's one reason The Clorox Company created its Power A Bright Future school grant program, which launches again today.

In its fourth year, Power A Bright Future, which gives schools the opportunity to win grants to help fund new or ongoing K-12 school programs and initiatives, is awarding seven grants totaling $200,000. In today's changing world this is more important than ever, since schools need to be able to keep up with advancing technology to keep students engaged and prepared for the future. In fact, last year's Power A Bright Future program saw an extensive increase in nominated programs with a technology focus.  From rewiring classrooms for digital teaching tools to creating a new student-run podcast program, many schools were hoping to implement changes that required updating their current technology.

"Rural schools such as Mackay High School often face challenges in the classroom due to location, but the Power A Bright Future grant helped bridge this gap by funding our transition to online elective and AP classes," said Candice Larsen, Mackay School District Grant Coordinator and Judges Pick recipient from 2011. "We were able to provide interactive whiteboards and laptops that connect our students to resources to help them succeed in the 21^st century. I encourage everyone to nominate your school for a chance to win a grant that could change your community."

Grab Your GPS, The Future of Education is Changing
Clorox recognizes that technology in the classroom continues to progress. By hosting regular focus groups with school leaders, they continue to connect with teachers and provide innovative, new solutions that help make a difference, including:

• Collaborating Through Mobile and Social Media – Mobile technology and social media are key tools inside and outside the classroom. It turns out that 75% of teens own a cell phone, according to a Safely.com study(3), keeping them connected at all times. Harnessing that trend, Power A Bright Future is continuing its "text-to-vote" component that helped bring in more than 1.9 million votes from adults and teens last year. 
• Keeping it Fun – Teachers who integrate digital games into lessons increased average test scores by 91.5%, compared to traditional non-digital games(4). The Clorox Company has always believed in making learning fun and even offers rich lessons and activities that meet educational standards and use the latest classroom technologies to get students excited about germs, hygiene and more.
• Expanding Tools of the Trade – Teachers are not only using new technology like Smart Boards and iPads, but are also using it to design challenging and more interactive lessons for students(5).  Last year the grant program helped Discovery Elementary in San Marcos, CA rewire their school to put Smart Boards in their classrooms and create high-tech interactive learning for students.

"Clorox recognizes the way teachers, parents and students communicate with each other changes, and that's why we're happy help fund new ways to keep classrooms connected through the Power A Bright Future school grant program," said Rita Gorenberg, PR Manager, The Clorox Company. "As technology rapidly advances, it becomes even more important to help our schools maintain their ability to create and evolve these innovative programs."

Grab Your Sunglasses, The Future is Bright
Now is the time to nominate your school for a chance to win, simply pick a category (Play, Create or Explore), submit a photo and describe the program or initiative vision for your school at www.PowerABrightFuture.com. Each nomination should demonstrate how the program will truly make a difference to children in their respective communities. Nominations will be accepted now through October 17, 2012.

Entry details and examples for each category:

• Play: Activities outside the classroom – building playgrounds or establishing sports and exercise-focused programs.
• Create: Arts-focused programs – anything from an after-school music program to a new photography darkroom or theater group.
• Explore: Academic opportunities – establishing a science club, enhancing a school's computer lab or building a peer tutoring program.

Starting November 5, 2012, the $50,000 grand prize and three $25,000 category grant winners will be determined by America. Anyone 13 years or older can vote online at www.PowerABrightFuture.com or text their vote for the program they feel will make the biggest impact. Along with the four winners that will be determined by public vote, The Clorox Company will select three $25,000 Judge's Pick grant winners based on merit.  The final seven Power A Bright Future grant winners will be announced in late December 2012. 

Visit www.PowerABrightFuture.com for the official rules and learn more about how you can make a difference at your school.

About The Clorox Company
The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with 8,400 employees and fiscal year 2012 revenues of $5.5 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Clorox Commercial Solutions^®, Clorox Healthcare™ and Dispatch^® products, Green Works^® naturally derived home care products, Pine-Sol^® cleaners, Poett^® home care products, Fresh Step^® cat litter, Kingsford^® charcoal, Hidden Valley^® and K C Masterpiece^® dressings and sauces, Brita^® water-filtration products, Glad^® bags, wraps and containers, and Burt's Bees^® and gud^™ natural personal care products. Nearly 90 percent of the company's brands hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. The company's products are manufactured in more than two dozen countries and marketed in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $87 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal year 2012 alone, the foundation awarded more than $3 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $15 million. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Legal residents of the 50 United States. and D.C. who are at least eighteen years old at time of nomination may nominate a school for this promotion.  All nominations must be received by October 17, 2012, at 11:59:59 PM ET.  Public Voting Phase:  November 5 – December 12, 2012.  The promotion is subject to the Official Rules located at www.PowerABrightFuture.com. The approximate retail value of all grants is $200,000 and the odds of winning a grant depends on the number of eligible nominations received. Sponsor: The Clorox Company, 1221 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612

(1) http://mashable.com/2012/07/23/technology-in-the-classroom/ 
(2) http://mashable.com/2012/07/23/technology-in-the-classroom/ 
(3) http://techland.time.com/2012/02/22/new-study-finds-ipads-in-the-classroom-boost-test-scores/ 
(4) http://mashable.com/2012/07/23/technology-in-the-classroom/
(5) http://techland.time.com/2012/02/22/new-study-finds-ipads-in-the-classroom-boost-test-scores/

Contact: 
Rita Gorenberg
The Clorox Company
[email protected] 
510-208-4149

Amy Jackson
Ketchum
[email protected]
202-835-9452

SOURCE The Clorox Company