Following are application dates for student contests, scholarships, and internships. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*Open ENVIRONMENT
GreenTimes, an environmental newspaper written by and for kids, welcomes students’ stories and ideas for publication. Contact: Elizabeth Gilmore, GreenTimes, 55 Reservoir St., Cambridge, MA 02138; (617) 868-5760; fax (617) 868-9725; e-mail habitat@greenscreen.org; www.greenscreen.org.
*January-March ART AND WRITING
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards honor grades 7-12 students, recognizing about 50,000 regional winners. Nationally, 1,000 students’ individual works receive Gold and Silver awards in each of 14 art and 11 writing categories. High school seniors may also submit a body of works for Portfolio Awards. In June, national award recipients are honored at Carnegie Hall in New York. The winning artwork is displayed at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The awards annually bestow nearly $155,000 in cash at the national and regional levels. Seniors who submit portfolios compete for scholarships totaling$1.5 million from more than 40 supporting institutions and organizations. Deadlines vary by region; all entry information is available online. Contact: Scholastic A&W Awards, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012; (212) 343-6493; e-mail a&wgeneralinfo@scholastic.com; www.scholastic.com/artandwriting .
*January 9 YOUNG NATURALISTS
The Young Naturalist Awards Program from the American Museum of Natural History invites students in grades 7-12 to conduct original research in biology, earth science, or astronomy. Students work independently and document their research in a written essay or field journal. The 12 finalists (two per grade) receive $500 to $2,500 in scholarships and go to New York City to meet scientists at the museum, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and attend an awards ceremony. Winners also will have their essays published in a special catalog. Entrants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens or legal residents living in the United States, Canada, or U.S. territories. The program is funded by the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation. Contact: American Museum of Natural History, NCSLET, Young Naturalist Awards, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024; e-mail youngnaturalist@nyc.rr.com; www.amnh.org/youngnaturalistaw ards.
*January 9 MOST VALUABLE STUDENT
The Elks National Foundation encourages high school seniors nationwide to apply for one of 500 Most Valuable Student scholarships, including two top prizes of $60,000 each, given over four years to one male and one female winner. Second- and third-place prizes of $40,000 and $20,000, also over four years, are each given to one male and one female student. An additional 494 four-year, $4,000 scholarships are given. Students are judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. Applications are available at local lodges, on the Web site, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the foundation. Contact: Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614; (773) 755-4732;e-mail scholarships@elks.org; www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.c fm.
*January 9 ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
High school juniors who are all-around achievers with a cumulative grade- point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (as of 10th grade) are encouraged to apply for the Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship, for any post-high school education or training. Sponsored by Discover Financial Services and the American Association for School Administrators, the award recognizes students who have excelled in areas beyond academics. Up to nine $2,500 (state) and $25,000 (national) prizes are awarded. Contact: Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship, AASA, P.O. Box 9338, Arlington, VA 22219; (703) 875-0708; fax (703) 841-1543; e-mail tributeaward@aasa.org; www.aasa.org/discover.htm.
*Ja nuary 16 LANGUAGE ARTS
The National Council of Teachers of English accepts nominations for its 2004 Promising Young Writers Program. Eighth grade language arts teachers are encouraged to nominate students and submit an example of each nominee’s best- written work along with a composition by the nominee on the designated topic and a $5 nomination fee per student. Winners receive a certificate. Contact: Promising Young Writers Program, NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, IL 61801; www.ncte.org/about/awards/s tudent/pyw.
*January 22 PEACE ESSAY
The United States Institute of Peace announces the National Peace Essay Contest for students in grades 9-12. For the 2003-04 contest, applicants’ compositions must examine rebuilding societies after conflict. First-place winners from each state receive $1,000 college scholarships and compete for national awards of $2,500 to $10,000. National award amounts include state awards. First-place state winners are also invited to attend an expenses-paid awards program in Washington, D.C., in June. Contact: USIP, 1200 17th St. N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 429-3854; e-mail essay_contest@usip.org; www.usip.org/ed.html.
*January 23 NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
The National Honor Society and the National Association of Secondary School Principals award 200 $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors who have shown outstanding character, earned good grades, performed service projects, and demonstrated strong leadership skills. Society chapters may nominate two members. Contact: NASSP, Department of Student Activities, 1904 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1537; (703) 860-0200, ext. 252; fax (703) 476-5432; e-mail dsa@nassp.org; www.nhs.us.
*February ECONOMICS
The Federal Reserve System presents the Fed Challenge 2004, a national economics competition for high school students. Teams of five students work with a teacher/coach to recommend a monetary policy for the United States. Teams are judged on formal presentations before Federal Reserve officials. Citibank will award $35,000 to the national championship team, $5,000 to the faculty adviser, and $10,000 to the school for an economics laboratory. Lesser awards will go to each national finalist and semifinalist team, their faculty advisers, and their schools. Citibank also will present a $2,000 Incentive Award to the highest-achieving team in each participating Reserve District that is either competing for the first time or has not advanced beyond the first round in the previous three years. Only high schools within the Federal Reserve districts of Boston, New York, Richmond, Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City (Omaha Branch), and Dallas are eligible. Contact: Robert D. Diamant, Economic Education Specialist, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, 33 Liberty St., New York, NY 10045-0001; (212) 720-6107; e-mail robert.diamant@ny.frb.org; www.ny.frb.org/education/fe dchal.html.
*February-March SCHOLARSHIPS
Optimist International invites students from North America and the Caribbean to compete for scholarships. Students younger than 19 as of December 31, 2003, write short essays on the topic “Being the Best I Can Be.” Local Optimist Clubs send winners to district contests to compete for a $650 scholarship. District winners participate in the international essay contest, competing for scholarships worth $2,000 to $5,000. For the oratorical contest, students younger than 16 as of December 31, 2003, present a four- to five-minute speech, titled “Thinking, Working, and Expecting the Best.” District prizes range from $500 to $1,500. In addition, students up to grade 12 who are deaf or hard of hearing may address the same topic using sign language, oral presentation, or both in the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; the district-level prize is a $1,500 college scholarship. All submissions should be made to a local Optimist Club. Contact: Optimist International, Attn: Programs Department, 4494 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108; (800) 500-8130, ext. 235; e-mail programs@optimist.org; www.optimist.org.
*February-March WRITING/ILLUSTRATING
PBS stations and Reading Rainbow are accepting entries for the Young Writers and Illustrators Contest from children in grades K-3. Stories can be nonfiction, fiction, prose, or poetry and must be accompanied by a minimum of five original color illustrations. A panel of local community judges evaluates entries based on originality, creative expression, storytelling, and integration of copy and illustrations. Local winners from each grade participate in the national competition. Each national winner’s story will be posted on the Reading Rainbow Web site, and winners will receive a library set of 10 Reading Rainbow episodes on DVD and a related book. Deadlines vary by individual station. For more information, including contact information for local stations, contact: Diane Miller, (800) 228-4630; www.pbskids.org/readingrai nbow/contest.
*February 1 AMERICAN HISTORY
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution awards the Dr. Aura-Lee Pittinger American History Scholarship, providing $2,000 a year for up to four years, to a graduating senior who will pursue concentrated study of at least 24 credit hours in American history and government. Renewal is based on an annual transcript review by the national chairman. Students must be sponsored by a local DAR chapter. An application form and fact sheet may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to NSDAR. Contact: NSDAR, Committee Services, Attn: Scholarships, 1776 D St. N.W., Washington, DC 20006; (202) 879-3292; www.dar.org.
* February 4 PHILOSOPHY
The Fourth Annual Kids Philosophy Slam asks students in grades K-12 to write their personal thoughts and observations about the question “War or Peace? Is world peace possible, or does human nature make war inevitable?” Essays must be 500 words or fewer, preferably typed and double-spaced. Students in grades K-5 may paint or draw a picture, write a short story, or use any creative combination of words and pictures. Teachers are encouraged to submit students’ class assignments. Each grade has a winning student and runner-up. More than $5,000 in prizes are awarded, and the school with the most entries receives $1,000 in Kids Philosophy Slam merchandise. The top four high school winners share $2,000 in savings bonds and debate the question before a live audience at the Philosophy Slam Championship in April 2004. Contact: Kids Philosophy Slam, P.O. Box 406, Lanesboro, MN 55949; (507) 467- 0107; e- mailinfo@philosophyslam.org; www.philosophyslam.org.
*February 4 TECHNOLOGY
Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association invite U.S. and Canadian K-12 students to submit entries for ExploraVision. Student teams consider the impact of science and technology on society and how innovative thinking can change the future, then propose a new technology that might exist in 20 years. First-place team members each receive a $10,000 U.S. savings bond; second-place members receive $5,000 bonds. Contact: Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (800) EXPLOR-9; e-mail exploravision@nsta.org; www.exploravision.org.
*February 6 PUBLIC HEALTH
The Young Epidemiology Scholars competition for original student research offers scholarships to high school juniors and seniors who conduct outstanding research projects that apply epidemiological methods of analysis to a health- related issue. The competition is designed to inspire talented students to investigate the many behavioral, biological, environmental, and social factors that affect health and to identify ways to improve the health of the public. Students who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States and who are either homeschooled or enrolled in a high school in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Midway, Wake Island, or the Mariana Islands are eligible for the competition. Only one project per student will be accepted. Up to 120 students will share as much as $456,000 in scholarships, with the top two national winners each receiving $50,000. Registration and submissions must be made online. Contact: YES, (800) 626- 9795, ext. 409; e-mail yes@collegeboard.org; www.collegeboard.com/yes.
*Febr uary 6 YOUNG COMPOSERS
BMI, a not-for-profit American performing rights organization, and the BMI Foundation present the 52nd annual Student Composer Award Competition. Students who submit original music are eligible for cash awards of $500 to $5,000. There are no limitations on instrumentation, style, or length of work. Participants must be citizens of countries in North America, Latin America, or the Caribbean and younger than 26 years old as of December 31, 2003. Contact: Ralph N. Jackson, Director, BMI Student Composer Awards, 320 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019; e-mail classical@bmi.com; www.bmifoundation.com.
*February 12 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Horace Mann Co., an Illinois-based firm that sells insurance and retirement annuities to educators, invites college-bound seniors to apply for the Horace Mann Scholarship Program. Parents or legal guardians must be employed by a U.S. public school or college. Applicants must have a B average and a score of at least 23 on the ACT or 1100 on the SAT. One $10,000 scholarship, five $4,000 scholarships, and 20 $1,000 scholarships will be given. Contact: Horace Mann Companies, Scholarship Program, Springfield, IL 62715-0001; (217) 788-5343; www.horacemann.com.
*February 15 ART AND POETRY
River of Words, a poetry and art program co-founded by former Poet Laureate Robert Hass and Berkeley writer Pamela Michael and affiliated with the Library of Congress Center for the Book, announces the ninth annual International Environmental Poetry and Art Contest. K-12 students are encouraged to submit poetry or art about watersheds. Poetry is accepted in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Two-dimensional art is accepted in all media. Winners are chosen in four age categories in both poetry and art. One international winner, eight national grand-prize winners, and their parents will be flown from their homes to be honored at a weeklong celebration at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Contact: River of Words, P.O. Box 4000-J, Berkeley, CA 94704; (510) 548-POEM; fax (510) 548-2095; e-mail info@riverofwords.org; www.riverofwords.org.
*February 15 CHEMISTRY
The American Chemical Society Scholars Program invites African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American high school seniors to apply for scholarships of up to $3,000. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States and demonstrate financial need. They also must be high achievers in chemistry or other chemical sciences and intend to major in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or other related sciences in preparation for careers in the chemical sciences or chemical technology. Contact: American Chemical Society Scholars Program, Department of Diversity Programs, 1155 16th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (800) 227-5558, ext. 6250; e-mail scholars@acs.org; www.chemistry.org/scholars.
* February 15 TRAVEL
EF Educational Tours announces the EF Global Citizen Awards, an annual essay contest for college-bound seniors. Ten U.S. students and two Canadian students each receive a 10-day, expenses-paid educational tour ofEurope. Applicants must be nominated by their schools and are selected based on an essay discussing what it means to be a global citizen. Application materials and the complete essay question are available on the Web site. Contact: Marisa Talbot, Global Citizen Program, EF Educational Tours, EF Center Boston, 1 Education St., Cambridge, MA 02141-1883; (617) 619-1591; e-mail marisa.talbot@ef.com; www.eftours.com/globalcitizen.< p>*March 1 EPILEPSY
Pfizer, a national pharmaceutical company, invites nominations for the Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship for college-bound high school seniors and college students. Nominees must have a record of academic and extracurricular excellence and must be undergoing epilepsy treatment by a physician. Sixteen $3,000 scholarships are awarded. Contact: Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship Award, c/o Eden Communications, 515 Valley St., Maplewood, NJ 07040; (800) AWARD-PF; www.epilepsy- scholarship.com.
*March 1 SCIENCE RESEARCH
The Dr. Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute, a four- week program that accepts 75 gifted high school seniors from around the world to conduct research at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, offers full scholarships and travel expenses to 20 U.S. participants. For three weeks, students work in campus laboratories with leading Israeli scientists and graduate students; they spend the last week doing field research in the Judean Desert. The program also includes social activities and weekend visits to major cities. Contact: Debbie Calise, American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science, 130 E. 59th St., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022; (212) 895-7906; fax (212) 895-7993; e-mail debbie@acwis.org; www.weizmann.ac.il/ youthact/english/sumin.htm.
*March 5 SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Space Day 2004 has launched a new series of Design Challenges for students in grades 4-8 in preparation for the Space Day celebration in May. This year’s theme, “Blazing Galactic Trails,” will honor the national bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to inspire future explorers, inventors, and scientists. Under teacher supervision or as part of a youth group, teams of two or more students use math, science, and technology skills to create solutions to three real challenges of living and working in space. Twenty-one teams are deemed “stellar” and recognized at the Space Day celebration; all teams that submit solutions receive a certificate of appreciation signed by Senator John Glenn. More information and registration materials are available on the Web site. Contact: Sandy Madison, (301) 897-6282; e-mail webmaster@spaceday.org; www.spaceday.org.
