Extra Credit

DEADLINES

Following is a list of application deadlines for grants, fellowships, and honors available to individuals. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

*February 1. Children’s Literature.

The Children’s Literature Association sponsors the Children’s Literature Association Research Fellowships and Scholarships for ChLA members. As many as four fellowships of between $250 and $1,000 are awarded for proposals of literary criticism or original scholarship that will eventually be published. Those interested in exploring fantasy or science fiction for youngsters are eligible for the Margaret P. Esmonde Memorial Scholarship. The number of scholarships awarded varies depending on the number of applicants. Contact: Donna White, English Dept., Clemson University, 801 Strode Tower, Clemson, SC 29634-1503; (616) 965-8180.

February 1. Field Research.

The Earthwatch Teacher Fellowship offers educators opportunities to participate in two-week expeditions throughout the world during the summer of 1998. The program is sponsored by more than 40 corporations and administered by Earthwatch, a nonprofit group supporting scientific field research worldwide. Educators work side-by-side with researchers on expeditions; field research is multidisciplinary, so full-time teachers of any subject are eligible. Counselors and administrators may also apply. Each fellow is eligible for funding covering part or all of the expedition. For more information, contact: Matt Craig, Education Awards Manager, Earthwatch, 680 Mt. Auburn St., Box 9104, Watertown, MA 02272; (617) 926-8200, ext. 118; e-mail mcraig@earthwatch.org; www.earthwatch.org.

February 1. Laboratory Fellowship.

Fermilab announces its Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Teacher Fellowship. The fellow works at the Fermilab in Batavia, Ill., for up to 12 months and researches particle physics and develops curriculum material. Graduate credit of up to nine semester hours is available, and the fellow receives a $550 stipend each week. Candidates must be full-time teachers of science or technology in grades 7-12 and must return to teaching for at least two years after the fellowship. For an application, contact: Fermilab Teacher Fellowship, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, MS 122, P.O. Box 500, Batavia, IL 60510-0500. For more information, contact Kevin McFarland at (630) 840-3266.

February 1. Science Fellowship.

The Wright Center for Science Education at Tufts University sponsors the Wright Fellowship for middle and high school science teachers. During the yearlong program, fellows pursue research projects related to their fields as scholars-in-residence at Tufts. The fellowship pays a $35,000 salary, plus benefits and a moving stipend. Six teachers are usually selected as fellows; applicants should have at least five years’ teaching experience. Contact: Ronnee Yashon, Educational Coordinator, Wright Center for Science Education, Tufts University, 4 Colby St., Medford, MA 02155; (617) 628-5000, ext. 5394; fax (617) 627-3995; e-mail ryashon@

emerald.tufts.edu; www.tufts. edu/as/

wright--center/index.html.

February 2. Humanities.

The National Endowment for the Humanities and the Council for Basic Education announce the Humanities Scholars Program. Seventeen teams of four K-12 classroom teachers are selected for yearlong fellowships; teams work with a scholar of national reputation whom they have chosen. The four teachers receive $1,400 each, the scholar, $1,500. Three of the four teachers must teach at least half their course load in the humanities. For more eligibility guidelines and information, contact: Susannah Patton or Elsa Little, Council for Basic Education, 1319 F St. N.W., Suite 900, Washington, DC 20004-1152; (202) 347-4171; fax (202) 347-5047; e-mail info@c-b-e.org; www.c-b-e.org.

February 2. Library Research.

The American Association of School Librarians and the Highsmith Co. sponsor the 1998 AASL/Highsmith Research Grant. This grant supports model research on the impact of school library media programs on education. School library media specialists, library educators, and professors of library-information science or education are eligible for up to $2,500; if two or more researchers work jointly, as much as $5,000 may be awarded. Contact the American Association of School Librarians,

50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2794; (800) 545-2433, ext. 4384;

e-mail AASL@ala.org; www.ala.org/

work/awards/awards.html.

February 2. Library Scholarship.

The American Association of School Librarians and Information Plus offer the Information Plus Continuing Education Scholarship to a school library media specialist, supervisor, or educator. The $500 grant pays for an AASL member to attend an American Library Association or AASL regional workshop or a workshop run in conjunction with either group’s annual conference. Applicants must be members of the AASL division of ALA and full-time school library media specialists or faculty members in a program educating school library media

specialists. For more information,

contact: Information Plus Scholarship, AASL, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago IL 60611-2795; (800) 545-2433,

ext. 4384; www.ala.org/work/awards/

awards.html.

*February 13. Korean Studies.

The Korea Society announces fellowships for study in Korea. As many

as 19 American educators spend nearly three weeks in Korea during the summer studying Korean history, economics, language, and other topics. K-12 social studies and language arts educators are eligible; administrators, supervisors, mentors, and social studies and language arts specialists with at least three years’ experience are also eligible. For more information, contact: Yong Jin Choi, Director, Korean Studies Program, Korea Society, 950 Third Ave.,

8th Floor, New York, NY 10022;

(212) 759-7525; fax (212) 759-7530; e-mail korea.ny@koreasociety.org; www.

koreasociety.org.

February 22. Science Convention.

The Lab Products Association, in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association, seeks applicants for its Lab Products Association Awards. Three secondary school teachers win an expenses-paid trip to the NSTA convention in Las Vegas. To enter, teachers submit a letter explaining why they want to attend the convention and why they need funding for the trip. For more information, contact: National Science Teachers Association Award Programs, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (703) 312-9201.

February 27. Cable Television.

C-SPAN seeks applicants for its High School Teacher Fellowship Program. The selected fellow will work at C-SPAN in Washington, D.C., for four weeks next summer to develop high school print and video materials for the cable-television network. The fellow receives a $3,000 stipend, $2,000 for living expenses, $500 in coupons for C-SPAN videos, and round-trip airfare. For more information and eligibility requirements, contact: 1998 C-SPAN High School Teacher Fellowship Program, C-SPAN, c/o Education and Marketing Services, 400 North Capitol St. N.W., Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 523-7586.

*February 28. College Scholarships.

The Horace Mann Companies, an Illinois-based firm that sells insurance and retirement annuities to educators, seeks entries for the Horace Mann Scholarship Program. Eligible are high school seniors who are children or legal dependents of employees of public schools or colleges; applicants must carry a B average and have scored at least 23 on the ACT or 1,100 on the SAT. One $20,000 scholarship, five $4,000 scholarships, and 10 $1,000 scholarships are available. For more information, contact a Horace Mann representative in your area or the Horace Mann Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 20490, Springfield, IL 62708; www.horacemann.com.

*February 28. Japan.

The United States-Japan Foundation offers grants for the improvement and enhancement of U.S. K-12 instruction on Japan through teacher training, professional development, intensive study tours in Japan, and curriculum design. The foundation will consider new or existing programs that include some of the following components: leadership development; information on U.S.-Japan relations and contemporary issues in both countries; pedagogical training on the incorporation of international issues into the curriculum; and multimedia teaching tools, including on-line technology. Grants last for one year but may be renewed by the foundation. The foundation also supports the improvement of Japanese-language instruction through teacher training and curriculum development. Another round of grants is awarded following an August deadline. For more information, contact: the United States-Japan Foundation, 145 East 32nd St., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016; (212) 481-8757;

fax (212) 481-8762; e-mail nbolin@

us-jf.org.

*March 1. American History.

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation awards fellowships for graduate study on the U.S. Constitution. Outstanding secondary school teachers of American history, American government, and social studies are eligible, as are college seniors and graduate students planning teaching careers in those subjects. The foundation selects one fellow from each state to receive up to $24,000 to help pay for graduate study leading to a master’s degree in history, political science, or education. Both full- and part-time fellowships are available. For more information, contact: James Madison Fellowship Program, P.O. Box 4030, Iowa City, IA 52243-4030; (800) 525-6928; e-mail Recogprog@act.org.

*March 2. Rain Forest Workshop.

Rainforest Workshops for Educators and Naturalists is a program that aims to engage teachers and school administrators in research with biodiversity experts, ornithologists, canopy researchers, marine biologists, geographers, and environmental leaders. K-12 educators can enter a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship to attend one of the summer workshops in Belize, Costa Rica, or along the Amazon. The workshops are co-sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association. For more information, contact: Rainforest Workshops, 801 Devon Pl., Alexandria, VA 22314; (800) 669-6806; members.aol.com/

EdWorkshop.

HONORS

January 16. Teacher of the Year.

The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, GLENCOE/McGraw-Hill publishers, and the Teacher of the Year Award Endowment Fund sponsor the Teacher of the Year Award. Candidates must be full-time K-12 teachers of family and consumer sciences. The recipient of the national award receives $1,000, plus up to $500 to cover transportation costs to the AAFCS annual meeting in Atlanta in June. For more information, contact: American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2752; (703) 706-4600.

February 1. Biology.

Prentice Hall, in conjunction with the National Association of Biology Teachers, invites biology teachers of grades 7-12 to apply for its Outstanding Biology Teacher Award. Candidates must have at least three years’ experience teaching in public or private schools. Teachers can nominate themselves or their colleagues. For more information, contact: Sherry Grimm, Awards Manager, National Association of Biology Teachers, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., #19, Reston, VA 20190-5202; (703) 471-1134.

February 2. Library Administration.

The American Association of School Librarians and SIRS Inc. offer the $2,000 Distinguished School Administrator’s Award to a school administrator who has developed an exemplary school library media program and improved the library media

center as an educational facility. Candidates must be nominated by AASL members. For more information,

contact: AASL/SIRS Distinguished School Administrator’s Award, American Association of School Librarians, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795; (800) 545-2433, ext. 4384;

e-mail AASL@ala.org; www. ala.org/

work/awards/awards.html.

February 2. Library Media.

The American Association of School Librarians and the R.R. Bowker Co. offer the Frances Henne Award to pay travel expenses for a school library media specialist to attend the 1998 American Library Association conference in Washington, D.C. Applicants must have between one and five years’ experience and be members of the AASL division of the ALA; they must also have never attended an ALA annual conference or an AASL national conference. For more information, contact: Frances Henne Award, American Association of School Librarians, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611-2795; (800) 545-2433, ext. 4384; www.ala.org/work/

awards/awards.html.

February 2. Science.

The Chemical Manufacturers Association offers the Catalyst Award to recognize outstanding science teachers. Elementary school science teachers and secondary school chemistry teachers are eligible to receive $2,500; teachers with 10 years’ experience are eligible to receive $5,000. For more information, contact: Hope Bonito, Chemical Manufacturers Association, 1300 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209; (703) 741-5826; fax (703) 741-6094.

*March 1. Arts Education.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the National Association of Schools of Dance, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the National Association of Schools of Theater sponsor the $1,000 Reston Prize. Applicants submit an in-depth policy analysis of 3,000-3,500 words describing the relationship between K-12 arts education and higher education; papers must not have been published previously. The winner’s paper will be published in the November/December issue of Arts Education Policy Review. Contact: Arts Education Policy Review Competitions, Reston Prize, Heldref Publications, 1319 18th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036-1802; (202) 296-6267; fax (202) 296-5149.

*March 1. Young Writers’ Award.

The Arts Education Policy Review invites authors under the age of 35 to apply for the Young Writers’ Award, sponsored by Heldref Publications. Manuscript entries must be 3,000-3,500 words and address K-12 arts education policy; they must not have been published previously. The winner receives a $500 prize and will be published in the September/October issue of the Review. Contact: Arts Education Policy Review Competitions, Young Writers’ Award, Heldref Publications, 1319 18th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036-1802, (202) 296-6267; fax (202) 296-5149.

*March 15. Biology.

The National Association of Biology Teachers offers the Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award, sponsored by Edvotek Inc., a manufacturer of molecular biology products. Biology and life-science teachers of grades 7-12 who have no more than three years’ teaching experience are eligible. Candidates must have designed an innovative program or technique. The winner receives a one-year NABT membership and $750 for travel expenses to the annual NABT convention as well as biological supplies and equipment. Teachers can nominate themselves or colleagues. For more information, contact: Sherry Grimm, Awards Manager, National Association of Biology Teachers, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., #19, Reston, VA 20190-5202; (703) 471-1134.

*March 15. Middle School Biology.

The National Association of Biology Teachers invites teachers of grades 5-8 to apply for its Middle School Teaching Award. Sponsored by Apple Computer Inc., the award recognizes teachers of interdisciplinary science courses who have done an innovative life-science activity or unit. Candidates are judged on their teaching ability, community and school involvement, initiative, and relationships with students. The winner receives a Power Macintosh computer, recognition at the NABT convention, and a one-year NABT membership. For more information, contact: Sherry Grimm, Awards Manager, National Association of Biology Teachers, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., #19, Reston, VA 20190-5202; (703) 471-1134.

TEACHING TOOLS

Following is a list of free or inexpensive resources that teachers can order.

Phonics.

Heinemann’s new book, What’s a Schwa Sound Anyway? A Holistic Guide to Phonetics, Phonics, and Spelling, argues that teachers with a working knowledge of the English sound system are more powerful observers of students’ reading miscues and invented spelling. Written by Sandra Wilde, the book is divided into two sections: The first explores the English sound system and its relation to reading and spelling, and the second helps readers apply in the classroom their knowledge about sounds, letters, and the relationships between them. Cost: $22. Contact: Heinemann at (800) 793-2154.

PBS Guides.

WGBH, Boston’s public television station, offers social studies and science teachers a variety of free guides tied to PBS programming. The biannual guide accompanying the Nova series features hands-on science activities on topics such as bridges, avalanches, and ancient wonders of the world. A Carmen Sandiego guide focusing on world history for grades 4-6 and Science Odyssey guides with hands-on activities for middle and high school students are also available. For more information, contact: WGBH Educational Print and Outreach, 125 Western Ave., Boston, MA 02134; 617/492-2777, ext. 3848; e-mail Thelma--Medina@wgbh.org.

Grammar.

A Child’s Garden of Grammar, published by University Press of New England, teaches grammar through verse and cartoon drawings. Author Tom Disch and illustrator Dave Morice cover 36 topics, including nouns and verbs, compound-object pronouns, and the agreement of predicated pronouns. Cost: $9.95. Contact: University Press of New England, 23 S. Main St., Hanover, NH 03755-2048; (800) 421-1561.

Art Resources.

Crystal Productions offers an “Art Education Resource” catalog for elementary, middle, and high school students of art and art history. The free catalog includes videos, CD-ROMs, posters, prints, slides, and books for use in the classroom. Contact: Crystal Productions at (800) 255-8629; e-mail crystal@interaccess.com.

Migrant Workers.

The Harvest Gypsies is a volume of seven newspaper articles on migrant farm workers that John Steinbeck wrote in 1936. The articles provided the foundation for The Grapes of Wrath, published three years later. With an introduction by Charles Wollenberg, professor of history at Vista College in Berkeley, California, this collection contrasts the misery Steinbeck found in the squatters’ camps and Hoovervilles with the hope offered by government resettlement camps. Also included are photographs of Dust Bowl migrants by Dorthea Lange and others. Cost: $7.95. Contact: Heyday Books, P.O. Box 9145, Berkeley, CA 94709; (510) 549-3564.

Math For Children.

Equals, an organization at the University of California at Berkeley that promotes math and science education for women and minorities, announces Family Math for Young Children. Written by Grace D...vila Coates and Jean Kerr Stenmark, the book features games and activities for children ages 4-8 that integrate counting, sorting, classifying, logic, arithmetic, and other math skills. Cost: $18.95, plus $5 shipping and handling. Contact: University of California, Berkeley, Equals Publications, Lawrence Hall of Science, #5200, Berkeley, CA 94720-5200; (800) 897-5036; fax (510) 643-5757; e-mail equals@uclink.

berkeley.edu.

FOR YOUR STUDENTS

Following is a list of contests, scholarships, and internships for students organized by application deadline. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.

*January 23. Digital Movies.

The Teen Digital Movie-Making Competition is designed to encourage students ages 13-19 to learn digital design and multimedia production by creating digital movie images on a computer. Organized by the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Meta Creations, a software company, the contest is open to teams of two junior or senior high school students sponsored by a junior high school, a high school, college, university, boys or girls club, teen advocacy group, or media center. Entrants create one-minute science fiction, western, action, or comedy movies using recommended software, desktop PCs, and video and audio clips supplied by the contest. Two teams from each grade category are chosen to debut their movies at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in March. For more information, contact:

Kerry Glassburn, MetaCreations, 6303 Carpintria Ave., Carpintria,

CA 93013; (805) 566-6296; e-mail

kerryg@metacreations.com.

*January 28. Peace.

The United States Institute of Peace announces the National Peace Essay Contest for students in grades 9-12. In this year’s competition, students analyze two 20th-century conflicts and discuss how the countries involved handled war crimes or human rights violations. First-place winners from each state receive $750 college scholarships and compete for national awards of $5,000, $2,500, and $1,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively. First-place state winners are also invited to attend an expenses-paid awards program in Washington, D.C., in June 1998. For more information, contact: United States Institute of Peace, 1550 M St. N.W., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005-1708; (202) 429-3854; www.

usip.org/et.html.

January 30. Architecture Design.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture sponsors the 1998 National Architecture Design Competition for High School Students. Participating students

design a branch library for their hometown. The top prize is a five-year scholarship to NJIT’s School

of Architecture. Second prize is a

five-year, half-tuition scholarship; four third-prize winners receive $250 cash awards. For more information, contact: Craig Konyk, Competition Coordinator, School of Architecture, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102-1982; (201) 596-3080; fax (201) 596-8296; e-mail soacomp@hertz.

njit.edu.

*January 30. National Honor Society.

National Honor Society chapters may nominate for scholarships two senior chapter members who have shown outstanding character, earned good grades, performed community service, and demonstrated strong leadership skills. Sponsored by the National Honor Society and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, this program awards 250 scholarships of $1,000 each. For more information, contact your local National Honor Society adviser or the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Department of Student Activities, 1904 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1537; (703) 860-0200; fax (703) 476-5432; e-mail dsa@nassp.org; www.nassp.org.

January 31. Cultural Exchange.

EF Educational Tours offer the EF Ambassador Scholarship program to U.S. and Canadian students in grades 9-12. Scholarships include a 10-day, expenses-paid educational tour of Europe. For more information, contact: Ambassador Scholarship Program, EF Educational Tours, EF Center Boston, One Education St., Cambridge, MA 02141-1883; 800/637-8222; e-mail scholarships@ef.com; www.eftours.com.

*February 1. History Scholarship.

Graduating high school seniors planning a college major in American history are eligible for the American History Scholarship offered by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The award pays $2,000 each year for up to four years. Second-place awards of $1,000 each year for up to four years may also be given. Scholarships are awarded based on applications and the students’ transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a 1,000-word statement outlining their plans. For an application, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 1776 D St. N.W., Washington, DC 20006-5303.

*February 1. Plastic.

The American Plastics Council, a trade association representing the U.S. plastics industry on resource-conservation issues, announces the National Plastics Reuse It Contest. School classes are encouraged to design creative and practical ways to reuse a plastic item. The contest has three categories: elementary school, junior high, and high school. The winning class in each category receives $1,000 for projects, class equipment, or other resources. Individual students may enter the contest by submitting 10 ways to reuse a plastic item. One individual winner receives $3,000, and 10 runners-up receive $250 each. The most unusual reuse idea is awarded $2,000. For more information, call the American Plastics Council at (800) 777-9500 or go to www.plasticresource.com.

*February 1. Use Less Stuff.

The ULS Report, a bi-monthly newsletter devoted to solving environmental problems related to packaging and solid waste, is sponsoring the Use Less Stuff Contest for children ages 6-12. Students are encouraged to enter waste-reduction ideas that they’ve used at home, school, or within their communities. A panel judges the entries based on originality, practicality, and waste-saving potential. Four regional finalists win Rollerblade in-line skates; one grand-prize winner receives a new bicycle. For more information, contact: The ULS Report, P.O. Box 130116, Ann Arbor, MI 48113; (313) 668-1690; fax (313) 930-0506; e-mail uls@cygnus-group.com; www.cygnus-group.com.

February 3. Technology.

Toshiba Corp., in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association, seeks applicants for its Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards. Teams of three or four K-12 students submit descriptions of a form of technology as it might exist 20 years into the future. Each student on four first-place teams wins a $10,000 savings bond; students on the eight second-place teams win $5,000 savings bonds. The teacher-advisers of the 12 finalist teams win Toshiba equipment for their schools. Team members, parents, and advisers also win an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony. For more information, contact: Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201; (800) EXPLOR-9 or (703) 243-7100; e-mail exploravision@nsta.org; www.nsta.org/programs/exploravision.shtml.

*February 15. Chemistry Scholarships.

The American Chemical Society Scholars Program invites African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian high school seniors to apply for scholarships of up to $2,500. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States and must demonstrate financial need. They also must be high achievers in chemistry or other chemical sciences, and they must intend to major in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a chemical-related science in preparation for a career in the chemical sciences or chemical technology. For more information, contact: the American Chemical Society at (800) 227-5558, ext. 6250, or go to www.acs.org.

—Julie Hope Kaufman

January 16. Math And Science Grants.

The Growth Initiative for Teachers Grant is awarded to 60 teacher teams that plan to use technology to integrate their school’s science and math curricula. The teams must include one math teacher and one science teacher from the same school. Each team receives $7,000 to implement its plan, and each member receives $2,500 for professional development. The grants are sponsored by the GTE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the publicly held telecommunications company. Applicants must meet various criteria to be eligible. For more information, contact the GTE Foundation at (800) 315-5010 or e-mail gift@gte.com.

Student Contests.

Scott Pendleton’s The Ultimate Guide to Student Contests, Grades 7-12 describes more than 300 contests open to students in areas such as photography, essay writing, computing, and geography. Published by Walker and Co., the 364-page collection details contest eligibility, deadlines, entry fees, and prizes. Cost: $15.95, plus $3.75 shipping and handling. Contact: Walker and Co., 435 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014; (800) 289-2553; fax (212) 727-0984.

Networking Classrooms.

Former middle school teacher Scott Christian has written Exchanging Lives: Middle School Writers Online, a teacher’s guide to the benefits of on-line literary exchanges between students in geographically diverse classrooms. Published by the National Council of Teachers of English, the book is intended primarily for English language arts teachers in grades 6-12. Cost: $11.95 for NCTE members, $15.95 for nonmembers. Contact: National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, IL 61801-1096; (800) 369-6283.

Ancient Rome.

Ancient Rome I and Ancient Rome II, two new volumes in Cobblestone Publishing’s series Teaching With Primary Sources, are available for teachers of grades 5 and up. Editor/writer Rosalie Baker has collected images of the sculptures, wall paintings, and ruins of the Roman Empire and written activities that compare life in ancient Rome to life in modern America. Included are customized binders, more than 20 activities for students, approximately 100 documents, and notes to the teacher. Cost: $24.95 each, plus shipping and handling. Contact: (800) 821-0115; e-mail custsvc@cobblestone.mv.com; www.cobblestonepub.com.

Phonology.

Raja Nasr’s book Applied English Phonology, published by University Press of America, is a guide for teachers of English as a second or foreign language. It offers basic information about helping students master the phonological system of English and sharpen their knowledge of unfamiliar sounds. Cost: $21.50. Contact: University Press of America, 15200 NBN Way, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214; (800) 462-6420; fax (800) 338-4550.

February 2. Business Plan.

An Income of Her Own, a nonprofit economic-literacy network, invites 13- to 19-year-old girls and women to create their own business plan for the 1997-98 National Business Plan Competition for Teen Women. Five winners receive an expenses-paid trip to a major U.S. city for an awards ceremony and a women’s business conference. Contact: (800) 350-2978 for an application, (800) 350-1816 for more information.

January 10. Space.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association, sponsors five competitions for grades 3-12 through the Space Science Student Involvement Program. The contests are designed to encourage students to incorporate science, math, technology, and art into science exploration. Students and teachers win trips to NASA centers, internships with NASA scientists, space camp scholarships, medals, ribbons, certificates, and recognition at the National Space Science Symposium in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact: SSSIP, National Science Teachers Association, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (703) 243-7100; fax (703) 522-5413/6295; www.nsta.org/programs.

January 31. Float Design.

The International House of Pancakes encourages students ages 6-12 to enter its Dream Up Our Float contest. Students must draw a float and write a 50-word description according to the theme: “My Favorite Historical Event or Hero of the 20th Century.” The winner receives an expenses-paid trip to the 1999 Tournament of Roses Parade and the Rose Bowl, a $200 savings bond, a bicycle, and a computer. Contact: Sara Blatt, 525 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203; (818) 240-6055; fax (818) 553-2009.

January 19. Essay Competition.

The United States Information Agency and the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers Inc. announce the Fulbright Young Essayist Awards. Students in grades 7-12 are invited to submit essays exploring international issues and cross-cultural experiences. Twelve students win savings bonds worth between $500 and $2,500. Winners are honored at a Washington, D.C., ceremony and read excerpts of their work at the Library of Congress. For more information or essay contest guidelines, contact: Fulbright Young Essayist Awards, Alliance for Young Artists and Writers Inc., 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999; (212) 343-6493; www.usia.gov/education/

fulbright50/contest.htm.

January 31. Civics.

Lutheran Brotherhood sponsors the RespecTeen Speak for Yourself Contest for students in grades 7 and 8. Contestants research a national issue and write a letter about the topic to their U.S. representative. A panel of educators chooses a winner from each participating congressional district to receive a $50 savings bond. State winners are also selected and receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Contact: Lutheran Brotherhood, 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415; (800) 984-9427; e-mail Albee.Ellen@luthbro.com; www.luthbro.com.