Following is a list of contests, scholarships, and internships for students organized by application deadline. Bullets denote new entries.
November 29. Science Scholarships.
Westinghouse Electric Corp. invites high school seniors to enter its Science Talent Search by submitting written reports of independent science, math, or engineering research projects. Forty finalists are chosen for a five-day, expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Science Talent Institute in March. Finalists compete for scholarships of up to $40,000. Contact: Science Talent Search, 1719 N St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-2255.
December 3. 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 start-up business plan for the 1996 Teen Business Plan Competition. Five winners receive an expenses-paid trip to a major U.S. city. Contact: (800) 350-2978 for an application, (805) 687-0983 for more information.
December 6. Letters to the Author.
Weekly Reader’s Read magazine and the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress announce the Letters about Literature Essay Contest. Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to write a letter of 1,000 or fewer words to an author whose book evoked strong feelings in them. The grand-prize winner receives an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus publication in Read. Nine finalists receive cash awards, and participating state centers give cash awards to the top essayist in the state. Contact: Letters about Literature, Read magazine, Weekly Reader Corp., 245 Long Hill Rd., Middletown, CT 06457-9291.
December 13. Writing and Art.
Weekly Reader Corp. seeks entries for its Read magazine Writing and Art Awards. Students in grades 6-12 are eligible. To enter, submit two-dimensional artwork or typed essays or fiction of six or fewer pages. Entries from top winners are published in the May issue. Cash prizes in each category are: $100 for first place; $75 for second place; and $50 for third place. For more information, contact: Read Writing and Art Awards, Weekly Reader Corp., 245 Long Hill Rd., Middletown, CT 06457-9291.
December 15. Science Experiment.
The Max McGraw Foundation, in conjunction with the National Science Education Leadership Association, invites U.S. or Canadian students in grades 9-12 to submit a proposal on a completed experiment or idea that would have practical application in science or engineering fields. The first-prize winner receives $5,000; the second-prize winner receives $3,000. Eight others win $1,500. The 10 finalists are also eligible for two $1,000 awards from Edison Electric Institute and the U.S. Energy Association. Contact: National Science Teachers Association Award Programs, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (703) 243-7100.
December 17. Auto Skills.
Ford Motor Co., in conjunction with the American Automobile Association, invites high school seniors enrolled in automotive-repair classes to participate in the Student Auto Skills National Quality Care Challenge. State-qualifying written exams are given in the spring, followed by a hands-on auto-repair test that determines participants in the national finals to be held in Washington, D.C. Scholarships and prizes worth $3 million will be awarded. Contact: Student Auto Skills, Mail Stop 75, 1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746.
December 20. Poetry.
Read magazine announces its Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Prize. Students in grades 6-12 are eligible to enter up to three typed poems. Entries should be no longer than one page. Six national winners receive $100, a medal of honor, a letter from the U.S. Poet Laureate, and publication in Read. Six semifinalists receive $50, a certificate, and the possibility to be published. For more information, contact: Bowler Poetry Contest, Weekly Reader Corp., 245 Long Hill Rd., Middletown, CT 06457-9291.
December 20. Poster Contest.
The Caring Institute invites students in grades 1-6 to enter the 1996 Art of Caring Poster Contest. Posters should express the students’ interpretations of caring. First-place winners receive a $100 U.S. savings bond; second- and third-place winners receive $75 and $50 savings bonds, respectively. Contact: Art of Caring Poster Contest, Caring Institute, 513 C St. N.E., Washington, DC 20002-5809.
December 31. Mural Contest.
The Bureau for At-Risk Youth offers its third annual Outdoor Prevention Mural Contest, designed to support community-based drug prevention. Schools enter a proposal for an outdoor mural. An artist travels to the winning school to help create its vision. For more information, contact: Bureau for At-Risk Youth, 135 Dupont St., P.O. Box 760, Plainview, NY 11803-0760; (800) 999-6884.
January 10. Space.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association, announces the Space Science Student Involvement Program. The program’s various competitions are designed to encourage students in grades 3-12 to incorporate math, technology, and art into the science of space exploration. Contests include: designs for future air- and spacecraft and proposals for experiments on Mars. Winners receive trips to NASA centers, internships with NASA scientists, Space Camp scholarships, and recognition at the National Space Science Symposium in Washington D.C. Contact: SSIP, National Science Teachers Association, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (703) 243-7100.
January 15. Science.
Duracell USA, in conjunction with the National Science Teachers Association, invites science students in grades 9-12 to enter its Duracell/NSTA Scholarship Competition. Students must create and build a battery-powered device and submit an essay, diagram, and photo. First-place winner receives a $20,000 U.S. savings bond; 99 additional winners receive U.S. savings bonds worth $200 to $10,000. Teachers of students placing first or second win computers valued at $3,500; teachers of other winners receive gift certificates for NSTA publications. For more information, contact: National Science Teachers Association Duracell Program, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (703) 243-7100.
- January 31. Environment.
Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks are seeking student-led environmental projects for the Pledge and a Promise Environmental Awards Contest. Students compete in four categories: grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, and college. Awards of $12,500, $5,000, and $2,500 are presented respectively to the first-, second-, and third-place winners’ schools in each category. The grand-prize winners’ school receives $20,000. For more information, contact: A Pledge and a Promise Environmental Awards, Education Department, Sea World of Florida, 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, FL 32821; (407) 363-2389.
- 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: “How I Have Fun.” Contact: Sara Blatt, 525 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203; (818) 240-6055.
--Jill Gordon and Anita C. Schuchman
