Following are application deadlines for awards, honors, and contests available to teachers. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
February 15 ENVIRONMENT
The National Association for Humane and Environmental Education accepts nominations for the National KIND Teacher. The award honors an outstanding K-6 teacher who has consistently included topics advocated by the association in his or her curriculum. The winner receives an award plaque and a free yearlong subscription to KIND News for every classroom in his or her school. For more information, contact: Lisa Cushing, NAHEE, P.O. Box 362, East Haddam, CT 06423- 0362; (860) 434-8666; e-mail nahee@nahee.org; www.nahee.org.
*February 28 CHILDREN’S FICTION
Highlights for Children seeks submissions of humorous children’s stories for its 22nd annual fiction contest. Stories should not exceed 900 words; they may be considerably shorter for younger children. Three winners receive $1,000 each, and their stories appear in the publication. Other contest submissions are considered for purchase by Highlights. For more information, contact: Fiction Contest, Highlights for Children, 803 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431; (570) 253-1080.
*FEBRUARY 28 TECHNOLOGY
The SMARTer Kids Foundation, an organization that provides opportunities for students and teachers to learn new skills by placing technology and programs at their service, is accepting applications for Connections 2002-2004. Eight to 10 teams of one 5th and one 6th grade teacher from across North America are selected for the program. Winners receive technology and training on such topics as using e-mail and bulletin boards, navigating the Internet, and presenting with PowerPoint. The Foundation-funded teacher training is held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and takes place in July 2002 for the 5th grade teachers and July 2003 for the 6th grade teachers. Participating teachers and students undertake collaborative learning projects with other schools in the program. In addition, at the culmination of two years, teachers and select 6th grade students receive an expenses-paid trip to Calgary in the spring of 2004.
For more information, contact: SMARTer Kids Foundation, (403) 802-2549; e- mail CandaceBeaton@smarterkids.org; www.smarterkids.org/connections.
*March EDUCATION LEADERS
The McGraw-Hill Companies invite nominations for the 2002 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. Up to three prizes of $25,000 each are awarded to individuals from the fields of teaching, education administration, business, government, or publishing who have shown innovation in attempting to change, improve, enhance, or further an area of American education. Contact: Teresa White, Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10020; (212) 512-6113.
*March 1 AVIATION
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association announces the Excellence in Aviation Education Award, offered to K-12 teachers who have developed curricula incorporating aviation. The number of winners varies; each receives $500 and is recognized at the National Congress on Aviation and Space Education in April. For more information, contact: Bridgette Bailey, GAMA, 1400 K St. N.W., Suite 801, Washington, DC 20005-2485; (202) 393-1500, ext. 205; www.generalaviation.org.
*March 2 ADVERSITY
Partnership for America’s Future, the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, and Panasonic announce the Freida J. Riley Teacher Award for an American teacher who overcame tremendous adversity or made an enormous sacrifice to positively impact students. The award recipient receives an expenses-paid trip to the award ceremony at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and a $5,000 check to be used as the recipient wishes. Contact: Gay Evans, Executive Director of Programs, Partnership for America’s Future, (330) 376-8300; e-mail pafinc@ameritech.net; www.pafinc.com/Riley.htm.
*March 15 BIOLOGY
The National Association of Biology Teachers announces a number of award competitions. Edvotek Inc. cosponsors both the Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award, given to a biology or life science educator of grades 7-12 with less than three years’ teaching experience, and the Biotechnology Teaching Award, given to a secondary school teacher or undergraduate college faculty member. New Biology Teacher applicants must have developed an original, outstanding program or technique and made a contribution to the profession at the start of their careers. Biotechnology applicants must demonstrate an innovative classroom approach that incorporates the principles and processes of that field. Science Kit, Boreal Laboratories, and the NABT’s Role and Status of Women in Biology Education give the Award for Excellence in Encouraging Equity, recognizing efforts by biology educators to promote equity in the educational community. Judging criteria vary for each award. All winners receive a recognition plaque and other prizes; all awards are presented at the NABT national convention in Cincinnati in the fall. Contact: Louise Pittack, NABT, 12030 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 110, Reston, VA 20191-3409; (703) 264- 9696; fax (703) 264-7778; e-mail office@nabt.org; www.nabt.org.
*March 29 WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Solid Waste Association of North America sponsors the Excellence in Solid Waste Education Awards, which recognize extraordinary efforts in educating the public on solid-waste-related issues. Two awards are given, including one for K- 12 curriculum. Entries are judged on technical accuracy, educational goals, quality of design and communications, program evaluation, and originality. For more information, contact: Solid Waste Association of North America, P.O. Box 7219, Silver Spring, MD 20907; (301) 585-2898; www.swana.org.
*April 1 MATH AND SCIENCE
The National Science Foundation and the White House present the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The effort recognizes K-12 teachers in four groups: elementary science, elementary mathematics, secondary mathematics, and secondary science. Up to 216 teachers from each state and each U.S. jurisdiction receive a $7,500 NSF grant for their schools to be spent over a three-year period on improving mathematics and science programs. For more information or to contact state science or mathematics coordinators, go to www.ehr.nsf.gov/ pres_awards.
*April 1 SOCIAL STUDIES
The National Council for the Social Studies seeks nominations for the Outstanding Elementary, Middle School Level, and Secondary Social Studies Teachers of the Year awards. Teachers must have maintained NCSS membership for at least two years prior to the nomination date, and they must demonstrate exceptional abilities in six of seven criteria. Winners receive $2,500, a commemorative gift, an opportunity to present at the NCSS annual conference, and a complimentary one-year NCSS membership. Weekly Reader, Scholastic Inc., and Time magazine sponsor the award. For more information, contact: Ana Post, Manager of Recognition Programs and Special Projects, NCSS, 8555 16th St., Suite 300, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 588-1800, ext. 114; fax (301) 588-2049; e-mail apost@ncss.org; www.socialstudies.org/a wards/teachers.html.
—Sarah Wassner
