Following are application deadlines for awards, honors, and contests available to teachers. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
October 1 DISSERTATIONS
The International Reading Association offers the Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award to a doctoral student whose research focuses on the reading/literacy field or has implications in reading. Dissertations must have been completed between May 15, 1999, and May 14, 2000. For more information, contact: Gail Keating, Division of Research and Policy, International Reading Association, 800 Barksdale Rd., P.O. Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139; (302) 731- 1600, ext. 226; fax (302) 731-1057; e-mail gkeating@reading.org; www.reading.org.
October 1 INSECTS
The Entomological Society of America sponsors awards for educators who use insects in the classroom. The society recognizes two teachers: one from grades K-6 and one from grades 7-12. The winners receive an expenses-paid trip to the ESA annual meeting. Their schools receive a $400 grant for supplies. To apply, teachers submit seven copies of materials and letters documenting an original activity, lesson, or exercise using insects in the classroom. For more information, contact: Prizes for Primary and Secondary Teaching Committee, Entomological Society of America, 9301 Annapolis Rd., Lanham, MD 20706; (301) 731-4535; fax (301) 731-4538; e-mail linder@entsoc.org.
October 1 PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge seeks nominations for the Valley Forge 24th Annual Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education. These awards honor full-time K-12 educators and college or university professors who conceive and implement an innovative course, program, or project that fosters a better understanding of America’s private enterprise system. Up to 20 educators receive $7,500 each; a special award of $15,000 may be given for an unusually meritorious entry. Eligible programs must have been launched or operated during the 1999-2000 academic year. Entries may be submitted by instructor teams or individuals. For more information, contact: Debbie Bathen, Director of Awards, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1601 Valley Forge Rd., P.O. Box 706, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0706; (610) 933-8825; fax (610) 935-0522; e- mail dbathen@ffvf.org; www.freedomsfoundation.com.
November 15 FILMS IN SCIENCE
The Science Screen Report Inc., in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association, sponsors the Science Screen Report Award. K-12 science teachers who have used commercially available films or videos to develop a science unit or theme are encouraged to apply. One winner receives $1,000, plus up to $500 to attend the NSTA convention in St. Louis. For more information, contact: National Science Teachers Association Award Programs, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (703) 243-7100; fax (888) 400-NSTA; www.nsta.org.
*November 15 READING AND TECHNOLOGY
The International Reading Association and TLC School, a division of the Learning Company Inc., an educational software publisher, announce the 2001 Presidential Award for Reading and Technology. Educators creatively using technology to help students read are encouraged to apply. One grand- prize winner receives a laptop computer and $1,000 of reading software from the Learning Company. The winner also attends an expenses-paid trip to the IRA’s annual conference in New Orleans. Up to seven regional winners from the U.S., one winner from Canada, and one winner outside North America each receive $500 of reading software. Individuals may nominate themselves or others; all nominees must be full-time educators who work directly with students ages 5-18. For more information, contact: Executive Office, International Reading Association, P.O. Box 8139, Newark, DE 19714-8139; (302) 731-1600, ext. 221; fax (302) 731-1057; e-mail exec@reading.org.
November 15 SCIENCE AWARDS
The National Science Teachers Association, in conjunction with various corporate and association sponsors, offers a number of awards for K-12 science teachers and principals. The criteria for each award varies, but most applicants are judged on innovation and commitment to teaching. Sponsors include the Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc.; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Ciba Specialty Chemical Education Foundation; Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc.; Toshiba America Inc.; Estes Rocketry and the United States Space Foundation; Dow Chemical Co.; Sears, Roebuck, and Co.; and the Drug, Chemical, and Allied Trades Association. Awards include cash prizes of up to $1 million, computers, NSTA memberships, and trips to the NSTA’s national convention and workshops. For more information, contact: National Science Teachers Association, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201- 3000; (703) 243-7100; fax (888) 400-6782; www.nsta.org.
*December 1 BEST PRACTICES
The Boyer Center, a national education resource and research organization at Messiah College in Pennsylvania, seeks applications from public and private elementary schools for its national Best Practices 2001 award. This year’s theme, “Building the School Community: Parents as Partners,” focuses on family involvement in literacy activities. Three schools each receive $10,000. For more information, contact: Boyer Center, One College Ave., Messiah College, Grantham, PA 17027; (717) 796-5077; e-mail boyercenter@messiah.edu; www.boyercenter.org.
*December 5 ACHIEVEMENT IN MATH
The Mathematics Education Trust of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics sponsors the Lifetime Achievement Award. NCTM members who are at least 55 years old and have at least 25 years of distinguished service to mathematics education are eligible. Each application should be supported by a letter of nomination, the nominee’s résumé, and up to five letters of recommendation. For more information, contact: NCTM’s MET, 1906 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191- 9988; (703) 620-9840, ext. 2113; www.nctm.org/about/met/lifetime.htm
*December 15 ASTRONOMY
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific welcomes nominations for the 2001 Thomas Brennan Award, which honors someone whose work or teaching has had a substantial impact on high school astronomy. Candidates must have taught astronomy to high school students, organized workshops in astronomy, or developed innovative courses, curriculum, and science programs aimed at the high school level. Nominations must be submitted on Brennan award forms, and nominees must reside in North America. One winner receives a $250 award, a plaque, and travel and lodging expenses to the ASP’s annual meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota. The winner also writes an article for the ASP’s Mercury Magazine or Universe in the Classroom newsletter describing his or her work. For more information, contact: Marilyn Delgado, The Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112; (415) 337-1100, ext. 100;
e-mail mdelgado@aspsky.org.
*December 15 SCIENCE
The American Chemistry Council, formerly the Chemical Manufacturers Association, offers the Catalyst Award to recognize outstanding science teachers. Elementary school science teachers and secondary school chemistry teachers are eligible to receive up to $5,000. For more information, contact: Barbara Long, American Chemistry Council, 1300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209; (703) 741-5101; fax (703) 741-6086; e-mail barbara_long@americanchemistry. com; www.americanchemistry.com.
-Mesha Williams
