Following are application dates for student contests, scholarships, and internships. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*Early Fall GOVERNMENT
The United States Senate Youth Program, funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, selects 104 high school juniors and seniors for a trip to Washington, D.C., to study the branches of national government. Each winner also receives a $5,000 college scholarship. The selection process varies by state and may include a test, interview, and/or nomination. Two winners from each state, the District of Columbia, and Department of Defense schools overseas are selected for the weeklong trip, February 26-March 5. Application deadlines vary by state. Contact: Hearst Foundation, (800) 841-7048; e-mail ussyp@hearstfdn.org; www.ussenateyouth.org.
*September 30 HYDROPONICS
The National Gardening Association joins the Hydroponic Merchants Association and other hydroponic gardening suppliers in presenting 12 Hooked on Hydroponics awards. Classroom hydroponics offers students opportunities to explore concepts across the curriculum, from biology to economics. Six elementary, four middle, and two high schools will each receive a package that fits its classroom space and includes everything required to grow plants successfully indoors. Public and private U.S. schools are eligible; applicants must plan to garden during the 2004-05 school year and include at least 15 children between the ages of 5 and 18. Submissions should explain how the equipment included in the grant will be used to further the educational process and indicate any efforts that have been or will be made to publicize the impact of their school’s use of hydroponics. Applications are available on the Web site. Contact: Donna Booska, Grants, National Gardening Association, 1100 Dorset St., South Burlington, VT 05403; (802) 863-5251, ext. 115; www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp .
*October 1 ATHLETICS
The Wendy’s High School Heisman Award recognizes students who best represent the nation’s top high school citizen-scholar-athletes. High school educators may nominate one male and one female from their senior classes who maintain good grades, play sports, and volunteer in their communities; 1,020 state finalists and 102 state winners will be selected by ACT Inc. Twelve students will be selected as national finalists and will receive a trip to New York City for the Heisman awards ceremony, where one male and one female finalist will each be named a Heisman National Award winner and recognized in a televised ceremony. Nominations should be completed online. Contact: Wendy’s International, (800) 244-5161; www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com .
*October 1 ART
The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts announces its Arts Recognition and Talent Search Program, open to high school seniors and 17- and 18-year-old artists. The foundation selects up to 125 students, who travel to Miami for workshops and auditions; receive hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation; and get cash awards ranging from $100 to $10,000. Up to 20 artists are named Presidential Scholars in the Arts and are honored at the White House. Awards are based on merit in one of nine art forms; beginning in 2004, one artist in each form will receive a $10,000 Arts Gold Award. Applicants pay a $30 to $40 entry fee; fee waivers are available. Contact: National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, (800) 970-2787; www.artsawards.org.
*October 1 INTERNET
The Internet Science and Technology Fair invites student teams in grades 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12 to participate in a 21st century science fair. Team members apply technology to real-world problems, conduct online research, interact with a team technology adviser, and design a Web site illustrating their findings. Student projects must relate to one of the national critical technologies and adhere to content guidelines based on national science content standards. Top teams receive certificates from the National Medal of Technology Program at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Contact: Bruce Furino, Director, Office of Special Programs, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida; (407) 249-7141; e-mail director@istf.ucf.edu.
*October 1 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The Siemens Westinghouse Competition in math, science, and technology is open to high school students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents. Applicants working individually or in teams of two or three submit original science, mathematics, engineering, or technology research projects. The Siemens Foundation, which sponsors the competition, provides more than $1 million in scholarships. The top prize for an individual entry is a $100,000 scholarship; the winning team splits a $100,000 scholarship. Other scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000. Contact: Siemens Foundation, (877) 822-5233; e-mail foundation@sc.siemens.com; www.siemens- foundation.org.
*October 15 GEOGRAPHY
The National Geographic Bee provides contest materials to registered schools (principals of schools including grades 4-8 are eligible to register) and awards college scholarships and other prizes to winning students. Registered schools conduct the oral component, with school winners taking a written test to advance to the state competition. State-level winners receive $50to $100 prizes and advance to the national competition; 10 national finalists receive a $500 cash prize, and the first-, second-, and third-place national winners receive $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 college scholarships, respectively. The registration fee for eligible schools (those in the United States, its territories, and Washington, D.C.) is $50. A study guide and other information is available on the Web site. For more information, contact: National Geographic Bee, National Geographic Society, 1145 17th St. N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 828-6659; www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee.
—David Carpman and Marianne Hurst