Following are application deadlines for awards, honors, and contests available to teachers. Asterisks (*)denote new entries.
*March EDUCATION LEADERS
The McGraw-Hill Companies invite nominations for the 2003 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. Up to three prizes of $25,000 each are awarded to individuals in 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 15 BIOLOGY/LIFE SCIENCE
The National Association of Biology Teachers announces a number of award competitions. The Biotechnology Teaching Award, sponsored by Edvotek Inc., is given to a secondary school teacher or undergraduate college faculty member. Applicants must demonstrate an innovative classroom approach that incorporates the principles and processes of biotechnology. The Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award, sponsored by NABT, recognizes outstanding teaching by a grades 7-12 biology/life science educator with less than three years’ teaching experience at the time of nomination. Applicants must have developed an original program or technique and made a contribution to the profession at the start of their careers. Science Kit, Boreal Laboratories, and the NABT’s Role and Status of Women in Biology Education sponsor the Award for Excellence in Encouraging Equity, which recognizes efforts by biology educators to encourage, promote, and strive for equity in the educational community. Judging criteria vary for each award. All winners receive a recognition plaque, honorarium, and complimentary NABT membership; all awards will be presented at the NABT national convention in Portland, Oregon, in October. Contact: Louise Pittack, NABT, 12030 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 110, Reston, VA 20191-3409; (703) 264-9696; fax (703) 264-7778; e-mail lpittack@nabt.org; www.nabt.org.
*March 28 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 issues related to solid waste. Four 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. Contact: Steven Ridzon, Solid Waste Association of North America, P.O. Box 7219, Silver Spring, MD 20907; (240) 494-2241; email sridzon@swana.org; www.swana.org/awardexcellence.a sp.
*April 1 SOCIAL STUDIES
The National Council for the Social Studies seeks nominations for the Outstanding Elementary, Middle Level, and Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year awards. Teachers must have maintained NCSS membership for at least two years prior to the nomination date and must demonstrate exceptional abilities in six of seven criteria. Winners receive $2,500, a commemorative gift, an opportunity to speak at the NCSS annual conference, and a complimentary one-year NCSS membership. TIME for Kids, Scholastic Inc., and TIME Classroom sponsor the award. 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/awards.
*April 15 PLAYWRIGHTS
The VSA arts Playwright Discovery Teacher Award recognizes educators who bring disability awareness to the classroom through the art of playwriting. The recipient receives funds for playwriting resources, a trip to Washington, D.C., and national recognition. Applications and information available on the Web site. Contact: VSA arts, (800) 933-8721; www.vsarts.org.
*April 18 CABLE TELEVISION
Time Warner Cable announces its National Teacher Awards, open to educators from state-accredited private or public schools in Time Warner Cable service areas. Candidates submit examples of innovative classroom activities developed using cable programs or the Internet. Twenty teachers or teacher teams receive $1,000 and expenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C. Local Time Warner Cable offices can also provide information. Contact: Bonnie Hathaway, Time Warner Cable, Corporate Communications, 290 Harbor Dr., Stamford, CT 06902; (203) 328-0620; e-mail bonnie.hathaway@twcable.com.
*May 30 PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, annually recognizes organizations for performance excellence. Public and private elementary and secondary schools are eligible to receive the awards. Up to three winners are chosen based on such criteria as student learning achievements and improvements in education design and delivery, leadership, and strategic planning. Contact: Baldrige National Quality Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Administration Building, Room A600, 100 Bureau Dr., Stop 1020, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1020; (301) 975-2036; fax (301) 948-3716; e-mail nqp@nist.gov; www.quality.nist.gov.
