GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
- Open. Graphic Arts.
The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation invites graduate students and secondary school teachers to submit “minigrant’’ proposals to support educational projects in the graphic communications field, such as programs designed to teach students about graphic arts technology and management. Four grants of $2,500 will be awarded. For proposal guidelines, contact: GAERF, 1899 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA 22091-4367; (703) 264-7200; (800) 874-0858, ext. 6001.
April 25. Librarians.
The American Library Association invites U.S. libraries to serve as hosts for overseas librarians as part of the Library Fellows Program. Goals of the program include developing new areas of expertise, establishing contacts with international colleagues, and furthering an understanding of contemporary librarianship. Interested U.S. librarians should write a letter stating their qualifications, information about their library and the community, and professional opportunities available to the incoming fellow. Contact: Robert Doyle, Director, Library Fellows Program, ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611.
- June 2. Geography.
The National Council for the Social Studies and the George F. Cram Co., a map publisher, invite educators to apply for the Grant for the Enhancement of Geographic Literacy. The $2,500 grant, which is intended to encourage the creation of high-quality geography materials, supports an outstanding program that incorporates geography into the social studies curriculum. Reviewers will examine each program’s rationale, its feasibility, the number of teachers and students it will serve, and its potential for continuation. For more information, contact: National Council for the Social Studies, Information Services, 3501 Newark St., N.W., Washington, DC 20016; (202) 966-7840, ext. 202.
- June 2. Social Studies.
The Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies Education invites social studies teachers and teacher educators who have created projects that emphasize innovative teaching of civic competence to apply for its “general grant.’' The 1995 theme is “Social Studies Education: Setting the Standards--Making the Difference.’' Two grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded in each of the following categories: grades K-5, 6-9, 10-12, and teacher education. Membership in the National Council for the Social Studies is required. For more in-formation, contact: Information Services, NCSS, 3501 Newark St., N.W., Washington, DC 20016; (202) 966-7840, ext. 106.
HONORS
April 12. Cable Television.
Colony Communications Inc. announces the 1995 Cable in the Classroom Innovation Awards, open to teachers of grades K-12. Applicants must submit classroom projects that use Cable in the Classroom programs as supplementary resources. Entries will be judged on learning objectives, teaching innovation, instructional content, and effectiveness. Twenty-three $500 U.S. Savings Bonds will be awarded. Contact: Colony Communications Inc., 20 Washington Place, P.O. Box 969, Providence, RI 02901-0969; (401) 277-7400.
April 17. Principals.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals invites applications for the 1996 Principal of the Year. Outstanding private and public school principals of grades 6-12 who involve their teachers, students, and communities in educational improvement are eligible. First, a principal of the year will be selected for each state; the winners of that competition will then compete for the national title. Contact: NASSP, 1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091; (703) 860-0200.
- May 1. Preschool.
Child magazine invites parents, teachers, and administrators to nominate outstanding preschool teachers for the 10 Best Preschool Teachers in America Award. The program recognizes the educational and social contributions of preschool teachers. Each nomination should be accompanied by at least two recommendations: one from a parent, the other from an administrator. Twenty finalists will be selected from the applicant pool; early childhood education specialists will then conduct on-site observations in each finalist’s classroom. The winners will be profiled in the November 1995 issue of the magazine. To obtain an entry form, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Nomination Form/Preschool Teacher Awards, Child magazine, 110 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10011; (212) 463-1000.
May 1. Science.
The Mr. Wizard Foundation seeks outstanding elementary science teachers to appear on the television program Teacher to Teacher With Mr. Wizard. The series features candid, in-depth profiles of teachers who use hands-on, inquiry-based techniques to teach science in the classroom. Teachers may nominate colleagues or themselves. Each nomination must include a one- to two-page essay that describes the candidate, explains a particular science unit and the techniques the teacher used, and shows evidence of school support. Teachers who are selected will have the lessons videotaped in their classroom during the spring of 1995 or during the 1995-96 school year. For more information, contact: Mr. Wizard Foundation, 44800 Helm St., Plymouth, MI 48170; (313) 416-1840.
- May 20. Freedom.
The National Council for the Social Studies and the Social Issues Resources Series Inc. invite teachers to apply for the Defense of Academic Freedom Award. One $1,500 award will be given to an educator who substantively promotes awareness of and support for academic freedom in ways related to social studies education. Teachers of all subjects are eligible; NCSS membership is not required. Contact: Information Services, NCSS, 3501 Newark St., N.W., Washington, DC 20016; (202) 966-7840, ext. 106.
- June 2. Social Studies.
The National Council for the Social Studies is accepting nominations for its Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year Awards. One teacher at the elementary and middle school level and two teachers at the secondary level will be selected for the national recognition and will receive $2,500, a complimentary NCSS membership, and a commemorative plaque. Nominees must teach social studies at least part time in a departmentalized setting and must have maintained current NCSS membership status for at least two years. For nomination applications, contact: The National Council for the Social Studies, 3501 Newark St., N.W., Washington, DC 20016; (202) 966-7840, ext. 202.
- June 30. Mathematics.
ABC/EA Home Software, a company jointly funded by Capital Cities/ABC and Electronic Arts, invites educators to submit an idea for a math classroom activity based on EA’s CD-ROM software Counting on Frank: A Math Adventure Game. Entries should include a description of the activity, the time required, and the number of participating students. The grand-prize winner receives an Apple Macintosh LC with CD-ROM computer; 20 second-prize winners receive a teachers’ edition of EA’s 3-D atlas. For more information, contact: Counting on Frank School Activities, c/o ABC/EA Home Software, 1450 Fashion Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404; (415) 513-7034.
CALL FOR PAPERS
- Open. Recognition.
Outstanding Schools, a newsletter published by the Missouri Partnership for Outstanding Schools Inc., invites teachers and educators to submit brief essays on how they are improving student achievement in their schools and communities. Each month an exemplary school will be highlighted. For more information, contact: Outstanding Schools, Missouri Partnership for Outstanding Schools, 102 E. High St., Suite 202, Jefferson City, MO 65101; (800) 659-4044.
- Open. Instructional Materials.
The International Reading Association’s research division seeks personal stories about the use of instructional reading materials at home. Submissions should include information about the product, including the manufacturer, advertising material, date and location of purchase, as well as the writer’s name, address, and telephone number. Contact: Research Division, 800 Barksdale Road, P.O. Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139; (302) 731-1600, ext. 226.
- Open. Reading.
Reading Today, a bimonthly newspaper, invites principals, reading supervisors, and other educators responsible for promoting reading on a district- or schoolwide basis to submit articles for its “Ideas for Administrators’’ section. Articles should be between 500 and 1,000 words in length and should discuss specific programs, activities, or strategies that promote students’ love of reading. Photographs are also welcome. Contact: Ideas for Administrators, Reading Today, International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Road, P.O. Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139.
- April 1. Adult Literacy.
Drexel University’s Office of Computing Science, the National Center on Adult Literacy at the University of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Literacy invite teachers and educators to submit proposals for their Adult Literacy and Technology Conference, to be held Aug. 4-5 in Philadelphia. The program will provide participants with information on how technology can enhance adult literacy programs. For a proposal application, contact: National Center on Adult Literacy, Attn: ALT Conference, University of Pennsylvania, 3910 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-3111; (215) 898-2100.
- April 14. Literacy.
The International Reading Association invites educators to submit proposals for the North American Conference on Adolescent & Adult Literacy, to be held Feb. 2-4, 1996, in Washington, D.C. Proposals should focus on successful programs and strategies, promising research, and contemporary literacy issues. Applicants must submit a proposal form, a 250-word description of the program, and biographical information. For more information, contact: International Reading Association, Conferences Division, 800 Barksdale Road, P.O. Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139; (302) 731-1600, ext. 216.
June 1. Art Of Writing.
The English Journal, a periodical for middle and high school English teachers, requests manuscripts that discuss student writing. Questions to consider include: “What form of ‘process’ writing do you use?’' “What is the place in your classroom for invention strategies?’' And “How do you deal with the publication of student writing?’' For more information and writer’s guidelines, contact: Leila Christenbury, Editor, English Journal, School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842020, Richmond, VA 23284-2020; (804) 828-0481.
- June 1. Literacy And Education.
The International Reading Association is accepting presentation proposals for its annual convention, to be held in New Orleans from April 28-May 3, 1996. Applicants may submit proposals on such topics as assessment, literacy, professional development, technology, diverse learners, integrated language arts, and issues relating to international development. Applicants must submit five copies of the proposal, as well as an application form, a brief description of their program, and a list of all team members, including addresses and phone numbers. For proposal guidelines, contact: Program Committee, International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Road, P.O. Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139; (302) 731-1600, ext. 216.
- July 1. Innovations.
The English Leadership Quarterly, a publication of the National Council of Teachers of English, is seeking 500- to 5,000-word articles geared for leaders of English departments on implementing innovative teaching strategies. Contact: Henry Kiernan, Editor, English Leadership Quarterly, West Morris Regional High School District, Administration Building, Four Bridges Road, Chester, NJ 07930; (908) 879-6404.
July 5. Whole Language.
The English Journal invites teachers who are interested in whole language to submit manuscripts on that topic. Among other things, the articles could address how individual teachers define whole language and how they implement it in their classrooms. For more information and writer’s guidelines, contact: Leila Christenbury, Editor, English Journal, School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, P.O. Box 842020, Richmond, VA 23284-2020; (804) 828-0481.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The American Association of School Librarians has named James Enochs as its 1994 Distinguished School Administrator. Enochs was selected for developing an exemplary library media program for the Modesto, Calif., public school district. He received a $2,000 cash award and a plaque.
Gloria Esquivel has been named National Humane Education Teacher of the Year by the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education. A 5th grade science teacher at Grapevine Elementary School in Vista, Calif., Esquivel was honored for her particular dedication to humane and environmental issues in her classroom curriculum. She received a marble plaque at a ceremony last year.
Robert Spillane has been named National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators. As superintendent of the Fairfax County (Va.) Public Schools, Spillane developed plans that helped improve minority student achievement and lowered the dropout rate. He received a $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a gold medallion, among other awards. In addition, a current senior at the high school from which Spillane graduated will receive a $10,000 scholarship in his name.
TEACHING TOOLS
Following is a list of free or inexpensive resources that teachers can order.
Mathematics.
Key Curriculum Press has published a supplemental text for middle school pre-algebra and algebra students titled A Graphing Matter: Activities for Easing Into Algebra, by Mark Illingworth. The 126-page book encourages children to use their imaginations while learning real-world applications of variables and relationships. Contents include 26 student projects, a teachers’ guide, student graphing guides, and reproducible work sheets. Cost: $14.95. To order, call: (800) 995-MATH or contact: Key Curriculum Press, P.O. Box 2304, Berkeley, CA 94702; (800) 338-7638.
Free Materials.
The Polystyrene Packaging Council has released The Plastics and Environment Sourcebook, a guide to curriculum materials on plastics and the environment for teachers of grades K-12. Subjects include recycling and landfills; the materials are organized by age group. For a free sample copy and brochure, contact: The Polystyrene Council, 1275 K St., N.W., Washington, DC 20005; (202) 371-5269.
Songs That Teach.
Rock ‘N Learn Inc., a company that combines pop music and educational subjects, offers “Rock ‘N Learn: Fun Music That Teaches,’' a set of audio cassettes designed to teach elementary students such subjects as math, reading, English grammar, foreign language, and geography through rap, rock, and country music. Each cassette is accompanied by a related guidebook. Cost: $9.95 each. Contact: Rock ‘N Learn Inc., P.O. Box 3595, Conroe, TX 77305-3595; (800) 348-8445.
Immigration.
The New Faces of Liberty Project, a publisher of educational resources, has released two handbooks titled New Faces of Liberty and New Faces in Our Schools, designed to help students in grades 5-12 better understand their immigrant classmates and the places they’ve come from. The books include oral histories from immigrant children and suggest classroom activities such as role-playing and poetry writing. Cost: $20 each. Contact: Many Cultures Publishing, 1095 Market St., Suite 602, San Francisco, CA 94103; (800) 484-4173, ext. 1073.
Time And Learning.
The National Education Commission on Time and Learning offers two supplemental publications to its 1994 report Prisoners of Time. One documents the commission’s conclusions and recommendations and the other describes schools and programs that use time innovatively and effectively to promote learning. Cost: $6.75, plus $2.90 shipping and handling, for one item; $3.75 shipping and handling for 2-5 items. Contact: TaLIS/Tal-Tech, 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1250, Arlington, VA 22209; (800) 299-5486.
Calendar.
Big Y Foods Inc., a supermarket chain, and the Educational Publishing Group Inc. offer teachers of grades K-12 a free “Educating Kids’’ 1995 wall calendar. The calendar includes the best educational tips and advice published in Big Y’s Educating Kids magazine, such as how to improve study habits and how to apply to college. Contact: Big Y Foods Inc., 280 Chestnut St., P.O. Box 7840, Springfield, MA 01102-7840; (413) 784-0652.
Games.
The Summit Group, a publishing and distribution company, presents the Eye-D Picture Challenge Game for students in grades 1-6. The game uses 150 cards, each containing a picture of someone or something famous on one side and five questions, arranged from easiest to most difficult, on the back. The cards help students learn important facts about geography, science, math, language, art, and history, such as how the U.S. acquired the Statue of Liberty. Game kits are divided into three groups: grades 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6. Cost: $12.95. Contact: The Summit Group, 1227 W. Magnolia, Suite 500, Ft. Worth, TX 76104; (800) 875-3346.
Cable Technology.
Cable in the Classroom has published a new book titled Delivering the Future: Cable and Education Partnerships for the Information Age. The 232-page paperback, written by Bobbi Kamil, executive director of Cable in the Classroom, describes 11 detailed case studies in which schools and cable companies have joined forces to supplement classroom education with technology. Cost: $19.95, plus $3.50 shipping and handling. Contact: Cable in the Classroom, c/o Whitehurst, 100 Newfield Ave., Edison, NJ 08837; (908) 225-2727.
Grammar.
The Communication Workshop, a consulting firm that conducts writing seminars, offers students in grades 6-12 five 8 1/2-by-11-inch posters that promote concise writing skills. The topics are: grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, and pronunciation. Cost: $3 each. Contact: The Communication Workshop, 130 Shore Road, Dept. ED, Port Washington, NY 11050; (516) 767-9590.
World Religions.
Teacher Created Materials Inc. has released World Religions, a resource book for teachers of grades 4-8. The 288-page paperback is designed to help students understand and appreciate the histories and cultures of the world’s major religions, such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Taoism. The book also discusses atheism and agnosticism. Cost: $21.95. Contact: Teacher Created Materials Inc., 6421 Industry Way, Westminster, CA 92683; (800) 662-4321.
Teacher Writing.
Heinemann, a publishing company, has published a book of teacher writing titled Workshop Six: The Teacher as Writer. Edited by Maureen Barbieri and Linda Rief, the 120-page paperback is for teachers who are interested in finding out what is going on in the minds and classrooms of their colleagues. It also includes some teacher-written poetry and prose. Cost: $14.50. Contact: Heinemann, 361 Hanover St., Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912; (800) 541-2086.
Date Rape.
Business & Legal Reports Inc. has released a new booklet, Teens and Date Rape, designed to help young men and women better understand the issues surrounding date rape. The publication offers easy-to-understand language, interactive scenarios for students, and prevention strategies. Cost: $20.25 for a minimum of 25 booklets. Contact: Business & Legal Reports Inc., 39 Academy St., Madison, CT 06443-1513; (800) 727-5257.
Special Education.
Peytral Publications offers Inclusion: 450 Strategies for Success, by Peggy Hammeken. The 140-page paperback provides educators of all grade levels with guidelines and ideas to help students with disabilities succeed in the regular classroom. The book discusses such topics as attention deficit disorder, large-group instruction, and assessment. Cost: $19.95. Contact: Peytral Publications, P.O. Box 1162-5, Minnetonka, MN 55345; (612) 949-8707.
Science.
John Wiley & Sons Inc. has published Weather: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn Into Science Fair Projects, by Janice VanCleave. The 90-page paperback describes 20 easy-to-follow experiments--such as creating a cloud in a glass jar and making a homemade barometer--designed to help students ages 8-12 better understand meteorology and how weather works. Cost: $9.95. Contact: John Wiley & Sons Inc., 605 Third Ave., New York, NY 10158-0012; (800) 225-5945.
Nutrition.
Sandbridge Publishing Inc. kicks off its Red Apple Zoo Nutrition Book Series with Please Pass Up the Salt, by Lucy Williams. The 48-page hardcover teaches children in grades K-5 about the benefits of a healthy diet and a limited intake of salt. The story follows Congo, an elephant who learns to substitute his favorite salty snacks with healthier ones. The book includes illustrations, discussion questions, activity ideas, and reduced-salt recipes. Cost: $14.95. An interactive CD-ROM version is available for $12. Contact: Sandbridge Publishing, 715 Moss Creek Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401; (800) 327-5113.
Literature.
Peguis Publishers Inc. offers Books Alive!, a 141-page resource guide for elementary English teachers. Written by educator Susan Hill, the book provides references and suggestions for incorporating award-winning children’s books in the curriculum and creating a literature-based reading program. Cost: $17.95. Contact: Peguis Publishers, 100-318 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3A 0A2; (800) 667-9673.
Reading Club.
HarperCollins Publishers offers The Little House Readers Club Kit and The Little House Classroom Kit free of charge to students and teachers who are fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series. Teachers of grades 4-7 can use the kits to create literature, writing, social studies, music, geography, and art lesson plans. The classroom kit includes a full-color historical map of the United States, a wall time line, bookmarks, and classroom guides. The readers club kit contains information about the author and her books. Contact: Educational Marketing Dept., HarperCollins Children’s Books, 10 E. 53rd St., New York, NY 10022.
Political Resistance.
The Women in the World Curriculum Project has published I Will Not Bow My Head: Documenting Women’s Political Resistance in World History, by Lyn Reese. The 112-page spiral-bound book, designed for grades 7-12, reveals the dynamic nature of various women’s resistance movements in history, including the French Revolution, Pre-Communist China, and the Women’s Anti-Pass Campaigns in South Africa. The book provides background information, follow-up questions, research and activity suggestions, a bibliography, and illustrations. Cost: $16.95. Contact: Women in the World Curriculum Resources, 1030 Spruce St., Berkeley, CA 94707; (510) 524-0304.
Resource Catalog.
Performance Resource Press Inc. offers a free guide for teachers of grades 5-12 who are looking to maintain safe schools and communities. The 64-page catalog lists books, videos, and curricula, among other resources, that can be used to build anti-drug, violence-prevention, or conflict-resolution programs or curricula. Contact: Performance Resource Press, 1863 Technology Drive, Troy, MI 48083; (800) 453-7733.
Science Experiments.
McGraw-Hill Inc. has released Who? Experiments for the Young Scientist, by Robert Wood. The 144-page paperback is designed to get students ages 8-10 more interested in science by answering such frequently asked questions as: Who invented the gyroscope? Who discovered penicillin? And who invented the electric motor? It is divided into four sections: engineering, astronomy, chemistry, and physics. Cost: $10.95. Contact: McGraw-Hill Inc., Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850; (800) 822-8158.
Farm Workers.
United Farm Workers of America offers the “Cesar Chavez Curriculum’’ for teachers of grades K-12. The program, created by the farm-workers union, touches on such topics as the civil rights movement, the environment, Hispanic heritage, and labor history. The packet includes a 15-minute video, two teachers’ guides, lesson plans, a song book, a coloring book, and a poster. Cost: $9.95. Contact: UFW Curriculum Project, P.O. Box 62, Keene, CA 93531.
Women’s History.
The National Women’s History Proj-ect has released its latest catalog for K-12 teachers. The 48-page resource includes such titles as A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman, American Women in Science: Biographies, and Myself and Women Heroes in My World. Cost: $1. Contact: National Women’s History Project, 7738 Bell Road, Dept. P, Windsor, CA 95492; (707) 838-6000.
Environment.
Scholastic Inc. and the Dow Chemical Co. offer elementary school teachers What’s It Made Of?, a free integrated teaching kit. The material is designed to help students learn how to dispose of materials such as plastic, metal, and glass in an environmentally responsible manner. Also included are stickers, posters, a storybook, an audio cassette, and a teachers’ guide. Contact: Dow Chemical Co.; (800) 553-4012. Ask for campaign No. 2152.
Math.
Media Materials, a manufacturer of educational math games, offers The Winning Touch, a game designed to help elementary and middle school students learn and perfect multiplication tables and division skills. Cost: $18.99. Contact: Media Materials, 111 Kane St., Baltimore, MD 21224; (800) 638-6470.
Rural Education.
The Rural Clearinghouse for Lifelong Education and Development has published Rural Clearinghouse Digest on Multicultural Education. The 6-page guide examines how rural schools can create and adopt multicultural curricula suited for their own communities. Cost: $5. Contact: Rural Clearinghouse for Lifelong Education and Development, Kansas State University, 111 College Court, Manhattan, KS 66506-6001; (913) 532-5560.
Library Resources.
The American Library Association is distributing the Whole Person Catalog 3, a free resource guide designed to help librarians plan humanities-oriented public programs. The catalog lists descriptions, contacts, and telephone and fax numbers for almost 100 sources of exhibitions, author and reading programs, and film series. Contact: ALA Graphics, Whole Person Catalog, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; (800) 545-2433.
Black History.
Peter Bedrick Books has published The Black Experience, by Bob Rees and Marika Sherwood. Designed for students in grades 5-12, the 64-page hardcover chronicles the enslavement of Africans and examines their role in the settlement of the New World. It also looks at the contributions and achievements of such great black men and women as Sojourner Truth and W.E.B. Du Bois. Cost: $16.95. Contact: Peter Bedrick Books, 2112 Broadway, New York, NY 10023; (212) 496-0751.
Foreign Language.
The Joint National Committee for Languages has published the finding of its annual survey in a report titled The Impact of Education Reform: A Survey of State Activities. The report analyzes the role of foreign languages in educational reform initiatives nationwide. Cost: $12.95. Contact: The American Association of Teachers of German, 112 Haddontowne Court #104, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034; (609) 795-5553.
FOR YOUR STUDENTS
Following is a list of contests, scholarships, and internships for students organized by application deadline. Asterisks (
- ) denote new entries.
- Open. Trucker Buddy.
Kenworth Truck Co. sponsors “Trucker Buddy,’' a free pen-pal service that matches professional truck drivers with primary school classrooms across the nation. Truckers write to classes from the road, providing a unique perspective on geography, history, and the economy. Students practice their own language skills by writing back to their buddies. For more information, contact: Gary King, Trucker Buddy, P.O. Box 2560, Arizona City, AZ 85223; (800) MY-BUDDY.
- April 1. Art.
The Tandy Leather Co., a supplier of leather-craft products, invites high school seniors to compete in the Leather Art Scholarship Program. The program is designed to encourage the use of leather as an art medium. First- through fourth-place winners will receive $2,000, $1,500, $1,000, and $500, respectively. For entry applications, contact: Tandy Leather Co., Attn: Art Scholarship Program, 1400 Ezerman Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76140; (817) 551-9600.
- April 1. Music School.
The National Federation of Music Clubs invites any student who plays a string instrument to apply for its Summer Music Scholarship. The $500 scholarship includes tuition to attend a summer session at the Aspen (Colo.) Music School from June 19-Aug. 20. During the session, the winning student will have opportunities to play with members of the school faculty, guest artists, orchestras, and ensembles taking part in the Aspen Music Festival. Eligible are students under the age of 26 who are U.S. citizens. For an application, contact: Office of Student Services, Aspen Music School, 2 Music School Road, Aspen, CO 81611; (303) 925-3254, ext. 400.
- April 1. Music Camp.
The National Federation of Music Clubs also invites musicians who play string instruments or the piano to apply for a $750 summer music scholarship to Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill, Maine. The program, to be held June 26-Aug. 14, provides intensive training in the art of ensemble playing. Applicants must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 15 and 30. For more information, contact: Tonu Kalam, Director, Kneisel Hall, 21 Vauxhall Place, Chapel Hill, NC 27514; (919) 408-0193.
- April 1. Summer Program.
The U.S. Department of Energy invites 11th and 12th grade students to participate in its Honors Program, to be held June 11-July 29. The program gives four students the opportunity to study one of the following: superconductivity at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago; high-energy particle physics at the Fermi National Laboratory in Chicago; life sciences at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif.; and engineering at the Sandia National Laboratory in Albuquerque, N.M. Students must demonstrate superior academic achievement in science and mathematics, be available for the entire period of the program, and meet the individual citizenship and course work requirements of each laboratory. Applications should include the student’s name, address, social security number, home and school telephone numbers, the two preferred sites, and an essay--250 words or less in length--explaining how the program might impact his or her career goals. All applications should be sent to each state’s Department of Education. For more information, contact the Department of Education in your state.
April 3. Drunk Driving.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, in conjunction with 7-Eleven stores, announces the 1995 MADD Poster/Essay Contest. Students in grades 1-12 are asked to incorporate this year’s theme, “Take a Drive on the Safe Side--Steer Clear of Alcohol,’' into either a 250-word essay or a poster created in any medium. Entries will first be judged by local MADD affiliates; local first-place winners will then be entered in a national contest. First-place winners in that contest receive a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a free trip for two to the awards ceremony to be held in June of 1995 in Dallas; second- and third-place winners receive a $500 and $250 U.S. Savings Bond, respectively. Contact: Programs Department, MADD National Office, (214) 744-6233.
April 14. Young Playwrights.
Very Special Arts, an educational program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, invites students ages 12-18 to enter the 11th annual young playwrights contest. Entrants must submit an original script that focuses on some aspect of a disability. The winning playwrights will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the final rehearsals of their plays and to attend the premiere production at the Kennedy Center. Students with or without disabilities are eligible to enter. Contact: Young Playwrights Program, Very Special Arts, Education Office, The JFK Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC 20566; (202) 628-2800 or (202) 737-0645 (TDD).
- April 22. Writing.
JGC Communications, a publishing company, in conjunction with the National Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, invites students in grades K-6 to participate in the Make the Tree Maker Smile Writing Contest. After reading the children’s book The First Forest, by John Geile, students must write a short story or essay between 200 and 500 words in length about how they would make the world a better place. One winner receives a $500 U.S. Savings Bond, and his or her school receives a $500 cash award for an environmental project. In addition, schools submitting the most entries receive a $500 cash award. A $1 entry fee will be used to plant a tree in one of America’s national forests. For more information, contact: Make the Tree Maker Smile Contest, c/o JGC Communications, Attn: Brian Reck, P.O. Box 2321, Lovespark, IL 61131-0321; (815) 968-6602.
- April 30. Song-Writing.
The Children’s Television Workshop, producers of the series Ghostwriter, invites students ages 6-15 to enter the Ghostwriter Song Contest. Students must write an original song about someone or something that is important to them, such as a family member, the environment, friends, or sports. One grand-prize winner from each category--ages 6-10 and 11-15--will have his or her lyrics produced as a song. In addition, he or she will receive roundtrip airfare with one parent to visit the recording studio, 50 cassettes of the song, and $500 cash. All entries must include the writer’s name, address, and age. To enter, contact: Ghostwriter Song Contest, P.O. Box 9500, Smithtown, NY 11787.
- April 30. Greeting Cards.
The National Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse invites children ages 6-12 to enter the Children Light Up the Holidays Greeting Card Contest. Each artist must submit an original crayon or felt-tip marker drawing that best captures the theme of the contest. Six winners in the age categories 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12 will each be awarded a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and a one-year subscription to a children’s magazine of their choice. The winning entries will be printed up as the foundation’s official 1995 greeting cards. For entry forms, contact: National Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 3050 Central Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43606-1700; (800) 760-3413.
- May 1. Vegetarianism.
The Vegetarian Resource Group, a nonprofit organization, invites students under the age of 18 to submit essays on the benefits of a diet that does not include meat, fish, or poultry. Each essay should be between two and three pages in length and can be based on research, interviews, and/or personal beliefs and experiences. A $50 U.S. Savings Bond will be awarded to one winner in each of the following categories: ages 8 and under; 9-13; and 14-18. For more information, contact: The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203; (410) 366-VEGE.
- May 12. Scholarship.
The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America invites high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to participate in the MS Scholarship Essay Competition, also known as PROJECT: LEARN MS. Students must write an essay that answers three questions about multiple sclerosis and issues affecting people with disabilities. Ten winners receive scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $7,000. For more infor-mation, contact: MSAA, 601 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, NJ 08107; (800) 833-4MSA.
- May 15. Video.
Videonics, a manufacturer of video-editing equipment, invites students in grades 7-12 to enter the Thoughts and Dreams Video Contest. The contest’s goal is to encourage teachers and students to use video as an educational tool for communication. Video entries must be less than 5 minutes long and produced by students. Faculty advisers overseeing the project must enclose a letter describing the video’s objective. The grand-prize winner receives a $2,000 grant and a complete Videonics Editing Studio; nine runner-up schools receive prizes that include video equipment. For more information, contact: Videonics, 1370 Dell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008-6604; (800) 338-EDIT.
--Ginger Collins and Cheryl Gamble
