October 31—Technology: Applications are due for the 2003 Internet Educator of the Year award, sponsored by Classroom Connect. The award recognizes a PK-12 educator who successfully utilizes Internet resources and technology within the classroom. The program will select the winner from four regional finalists. Regional finalists each receive a prize package from Classroom Connect and $1,000 cash prize. The national winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and a variety of products and services from Classroom Connect at the 2003 Connected Conference in Chicago. Submissions accepted by e- mail only. Contact: Classroom Connect; e-mail: IEOTY@classroom.com
November 15—Technology: Submissions are due for presentations at the 23rd annual Microcomputers in Education Conference, sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education, Arizona State University, the Arizona State Public Information Network, the Arizona Education Association, and the Arizona Technology in Education Alliance. Applicants may submit a presentation, workshop or poster session of at least 60 minutes in length in one of the following categories: Professional development, technology integration/ curriculum development, infrastructure development, community partnerships, distance learning, leading into tomorrow, adaptive technologies, educational resources and best practices. Postsecondary and K-12 teachers, administrators and researchers will attend the conference in March 2003. Contact: Josephine Wong, MEC, PO Box 870101, Tempe AZ 85287-0101; (480) 965-9700; fax: (480) 965- 4128; Web site: http://mec.asu.edu.
November 30—Technology: Applications are due for the Building Brighter Classrooms giveaway contest, sponsored by InFocus Corp. in partnership with Palm, Da-Lite, Apex Learning and LearnStar. The contest is open to all educators. The randomly selected winner will receive the InFocus LP 240 projector, 15 Palm handheld computers with wireless cards, LearnStar educational software, a Da-Lite screen and stand, and Apex Learning online courses. Contact: InFocus; Web site: www.infocus.com
November 30—Early childhood education: Applications are due for the National Child Care Teacher Awards, sponsored by Tylenol and the Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation. The awards recognize 50 early-childhood educators for dedication to their students. To be eligible, applicants must have been employed for at least 3 years by an early childhood education program that complies with state and local regulations, and they must currently work a minimum of 35 hours per week. Each applicant will be asked to submit a project that creates educational, social and emotional enhancement for children in their classrooms. Each award winner will receive a $500 stipend and $500 to fund their projects. Contact: TLLCCF, 320 S. Henderson Rd., 2nd Floor, King of Prussia PA 19406; (610) 992-1140; e-mail: tllccf@childcareabc.org; Web site: www.childcareabc.org.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS, CONTESTS, AND AWARDS
November 15—Science: Applications are due for the TOYchallenge competition, sponsored by Hasbro Inc. Created by the Sally Ride Science Club, the competition is designed to challenge middle school students to create projects that will stimulate their interest in engineering. Each student team from grades 5-8 that participates will be asked to submit ideas and drawings of a new toy or game. Visual presentations will be reviewed on January 31, 2003 by a toy panel. Ten finalists will be selected to build and present their creations at the TOYchallenge National Showcase at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. The first place team will spend a week at Space Camp. The second place team will be taken on a behind- the-scenes tour of Hasbro Inc. The third place team will win a VIP tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and meet an astronaut. Contact: TOYchallenge, 9171 Towne Centre Dr., Suite 550, San Diego CA 92122; e-mail: toychallenge@sallyrideclub.com ; Web site: www.sallyrideclub.com/ToyChall enge.
November 15—Science: Applications are due for the Team America Rocketry Challenge, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry. Students from grades 9-12 will be asked to build and pilot a model rocket containing two eggs to a height of 1,500 feet. Students in grades 7-8 are also eligible to participate if they join a high school team. The top five teams will split $59,000 in cash and savings bonds. The top ten teams will also be eligible to compete for three $2,500 grants in the 2003-2004 Student Launch Initiative at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Contact: Nicole Towle, AIA, 1250 I St., Suite 1200, Washington DC 20005; (202) 371-8428; Web site: www.rocketcontest.org.
Ongoing until March 7, 2003—Teacher recognition: Applications are due for the Salute to Education contest, sponsored by the Kimberly-Clark Corp., maker of Kleenex and Huggies diapers. The contest recognizes teachers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware who have had a significant impact on the lives of their students. The contest is open to students ages 9 to 18. A teacher will be selected randomly each month and receive a $1,500 cash prize. The winner’s school will also receive a $1,500 donation and the student who nominated the winning teacher will receive $500. Contact: ShopRite; (800) 746-7748; Web site: www.shoprite.com.
—Marianne Hurst
