Teacher Fellowships, Contests, and Awards
February 9—Science: Applications are due for the Perfect Classroom Competition, sponsored by the NEC Foundation of America. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to creatively document their ideas of a perfect classroom. Applicants are asked to provide a video essay describing the ideal classroom. Middle school science teachers are eligible to apply. Three winners will receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Contact: NEC, PCC, Science Service, 1719 N. St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036; Web site: www.sciserv.org/necfoundation.asp.
March 1—Humanities: Applications are due for fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.The fellowships offer K-12 teachers, librarians, and administrators the opportunity to attend various summer workshops and seminars on the humanities. Stipends from $2,800 to $3,700 are available. Contact: NEH Seminars and Institutes Program, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Room 302, Washington, DC 20506; (202) 606-8463; e-mail: sem- inst@neh.gov; Web site: www.neh.gov.
March 1—Libraries: Applications are due for 3M Salute to Schools awards, sponsored by 3M and the American Association of School Librarians. The awards support library security products for up to 100 schools in the United States. 3M will award two library detection systems and security strips valued at $15,000. Middle and high schools in the United States are eligible to apply. Contact: AASL Awards Program; (800) 545-2433 ext. 4383; e-mail: aasl@ala.org; Web site: www.ala.org/aala.
March 1— Science: Applications are due for fellowships from the Earthwatch Institute. Fellowships offer K-12 teachers and administrators the opportunity to help scientists research natural and cultural conservation for up to three weeks. Fellowships of $3,500 are available. Contact: EI, 3 Clock Tower Place, Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754-0075; (800) 776-0188 ext. 118; fax: (978) 450-1288; e- mail: educationawards@earthwatch.org; Web site: www.earthwatch.org.
March 15—Call for Proposals: Applications are due for proposals for the Peace as a Global Language Conference, sponsored by Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan. Proposals should be formatted as panel discussions, workshops, research presentations, or poster sessions. Topics include, but are not limited to, education, health, gender, alternative education, and teaching/learning issues. Contact: John T. Denny, Kyoto University; e-mail: kyotopgl2004@yahoo.com; Web site: www.eltcalendar.com/PGL2004.
March 15—Technology: Applications are due for the inaugural Sylvia Charp technology award from T.H.E. Journal and the International Society for Technology in Education. The award will recognize one U.S. school district for its effective use of technology. The recipient will be honored at the National Educational Computing Conference in June 2004.Contact: Chris Taver, ISTE; (800) 336-5191; Web site: www.iste.org.
March 22— Principals: Applications are due for Excellence in Education Awards from HEB, Texas-based grocery chain. The awards recognize K-12 teachers and principals within the HEB service area who have shown outstanding service in their schools. Teachers are eligible to receive cash awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Principals with at least five years of experience could receive $25,000 in cash and matching grants for their school. Contact: Jill Reynolds, HEB, 6929 Airport Boulevard, Suite 176, Austin, TX 78752; (512) 421-1048; fax: (512) 421-1093; e-mail: reynolds.jill@heb.com; Web site: www.heb.com.
March 31—Facilities: Applications are due for the Kids Karpet contest. Applicants will be asked to submit a 200-word essay outlining their financial needs and why Kids Karpet surfacing would work best for their playgrounds. Public and private elementary schools, parks, and child- care facilities are eligible to apply. Winners will receive 100 cubic yards of Kids Karpet playground surfacing. Contact: Garick Corporation, 13600 Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44125; (216) 581-0100; e- mail: kidskarpet@garick.com; Web site: www.kidskarpet.com.
Student Scholarships, Contests, and Awards
February 6—Health: Applications are due for the Young Epidemiology Scholars Student Competition, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the College Board. The competition seeks to raise awareness of public health issues and the field of epidemiology — the science of investigating and preventing health problems. High school juniors and seniors are eligible to enter. Contestants will be asked to conduct research projects exploring disease patterns and control. Sixty finalists will receive $1,000 awards, 48 regional finalists will receive a $2,000 awards, six national finalists will receive $6,000 awards, and the top two national winners will receive $50,000 awards. Contact: YES Program; (800) 626-9795; e-mail: yes@collegeboard.com; Web site: www.collegeboard.com/yes.
February 8—Philosophy: Applications are due for the Kids Philosophy Slam Competition. The competition will ask students in grades K-12 to explore philosophy through art, music, and poetry. There will be awards totaling $3,000. Contact: Judy Davis, KPS, PO Box 406, Lanesboro, MN 55949; (507) 467-0107; e-mail: info@philosophyslam.org; Web site: www.philosophyslam.org.
February 13—Arts education: Applications are due for the Art Institutes Best Teen Chef 2004 competition, sponsored by the Art Institutes. High school students interested in culinary arts can enter and compete for more than $200,000 in scholarships. Nineteen first place winners will prepare dishes at a cook-off in Orange County, Calif. The grand prize winner will receive the title Best Teen Chef and a $30,000 scholarship. Contact: AI, 210 Sixth Ave., 33rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2603; Web site: www.artinstitutes.edu/nc.
February 13—Arts education: Applications are due for the Poster Design Scholarship Competition, sponsored by the Art Institutes and Americans for the Arts. High school students will be asked to design original artwork that embodies the slogan “Life is Better with Art in It”. More than $200,000 in scholarships will be awarded. The grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship. Contact: AI, 210 Sixth Ave., 33rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222- 2603; Web site: www.artinstitutes.edu/poster.
February 15—Scholarships: Applications are due for college scholarships from Education is Freedom. High school seniors with a B grade-point average who don’t qualify for traditional scholarships are eligible to apply. Two hundred and fifty scholarships of $2,000 each are available. Contact: EIF, 2711 North Haskell Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204; (866) EIF-EDUCATE; Web site: www.educationisfreedom.org.
February 15—Science: Applications are due for the American Chemical Society’s Scholars Program. The program supports minority high school and college students interested in studying chemistry, bioengineering, or environmental sciences. Renewable scholarships of up to $3,000 are available. Contact: Robert J. Hughes, ACS Scholars Program, 1155 16th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (800) 227-5558; fax (202) 776-8003; e-mail: r_hughes@acs.org; Web site: www.chemistry.org/scholars.
February 27—Animal education: Applications are due for the International Humane Essay Contest, sponsored by the Fund for Animals. Students in grades 2-12 will be asked to write essays about wildlife issues. Winners in four categories will each receive a $200 U.S savings bond. Contact: Norm Phelps, IHEC, FA, 8121 Georgia Ave., Suite 301, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (240) 675-6396; e-mail: nphelps@fund.org; Web site: www.fund.org.
February 27— Scholarships: Applications are due for the Girls Going Places College Scholarship program from Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Fifteen scholarships of $1,000 to $10,000 are available for girls between the ages of 12 and 16 who demonstrate initial steps toward financial independence, are proactive in their community, and act as entrepreneurs. Contact: Diana Acevedo, GLIC, GGP, H-26-C, 7 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004; e-mail: diana_acevedo@glic.com; Web site: www.girlsgoingplaces.com.
March 15—Writing: Applications are due for the Kids Are Authors writing competition from Scholastic Book Fairs. Students in grades K-8 are asked to work in groups of three or more to create a fictional or nonfiction, illustrated picture book. Twenty-five schools will receive honorable mentions and win $200 in merchandise from Scholastic as well as a certificate of merit for each student. Two grand prize winning schools will receive $2,000 in merchandise, 100 copies of their published book, and a framed award certificate and medallion for each student. Contact: Kids Are Authors, SBF, 1080 Greenwood Boulevard, Lake Mary, FL 32746; (800) 874-4809; Web site: teacher.scholastic.com/fairs/kaa/rules.htm.
March 26— Fellowships: Applications are due for fellowships from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. The fellowships honor K-12 students in the U.S. who excel in science, technology, mathematics, music, literature, and philosophy. Recipients can receive between $10,000 and $50,000 in scholarships. Contact: Julie Dudley, DITD; e-mail: jdudley@ditd.org; Web site: www.davidsonfellows.org.