Following are application deadlines for grants and fellowships available to individuals and schools. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*Open MATH AND SCIENCE
The Toshiba America Foundation awards grants for programs that improve classroom teaching and learning of math, science, and technology for K-12 students. Public and private schools, local educational agencies, and youth organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico may apply. Projects should provide direct benefits to students and include teacher-led, classroom- based experiences. Grants of up to $5,000 are offered monthly throughout the year; larger grants are awarded in March and September. For more information, contact: Toshiba America Foundation, Program Office, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10020; (212) 588-0820; e-mail foundation@tai.toshiba.com; www.toshiba.com/about/taf.html.
*Open PHOTOGRAPHY
Starlight Cameras, the makers of the pinhole camera and darkroom kit, give a complimentary camera to a school every week. Pinhole cameras are versatile, rugged, and can be used to study image formation even without a darkroom. Teachers send a description of their photography program and their school address to request a camera, darkroom kit, and instruction book. For more information, contact: Jim Kosinski, Starlight Cameras, P.O. Box 540, Cherry Valley, NY 13320; (607) 264-3480; e-mail merlin@paintcancamera.com; www.paintcancamera.com.
*June 1 REGIONAL STUDIES
The Orion Society, an award-winning publisher and environmental education organization, offers up to 12 Stories in the Land teaching fellowships to promote the study of local landscapes, histories, and literature. Elementary and secondary educators in the United States and Canada are eligible for these yearlong, $1,000 fellowships. Application materials include a project proposal outlining the curriculum and its objectives, a personal statement, and a letter of support from the school’s chief administrator. Applications are available online. For more information and to receive an application, contact: Dale Abrams, Education Coordinator, Orion Society, 195 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230; (413) 528-4422; fax (413) 425-0676; www.orionsociety.org.
June 15 JAPAN
The United States-Japan Foundation offers grants to improve U.S. K-12 instruction on Japan through teacher training, professional development, intensive study tours in Japan, and curriculum design. The foundation funds new or existing programs that include some of the following components: leadership development, information on U.S.-Japanese relations and contemporary issues in both countries, training on using international issues in the classroom, and multimedia teaching tools. Grants last for one year but may be renewed by the foundation, which also supports the improvement of Japanese-language instruction through teacher training and curriculum development. Letters of inquiry must be received by June 15; full grant proposals are due July 31. For more information, contact: David Janes, Program Officer, Precollege Education Programs, United States-Japan Foundation, 145 E. 32nd St., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016; (212) 481-8757; fax (212) 481-8762; e- mail djanes@us-jf.org; www.us-jf.org.
*June 30 COMPUTERS
Wolfram Research Inc., makers of Mathematica, a technical computing software system, announces the High School Grant Program. Grants support K-12 teachers worldwide who use Mathematica to develop computer-based classroom materials. Recipients get copies of Mathematica software for their schools, other course materials, and technical support. The number of grant recipients varies. Applications are available online. For more information, contact: Wolfram Research Inc., 100 Trade Center Dr., Champaign, IL 61820-7273; (800) 441-MATH, ext. 703, or (217) 398-0700, ext. 703; e-mail highschoolgrants@wolfram.com; www.wolfra m.com/company/programs/application/highschool.
*June 30 MATH AND SCIENCE
MathSoft Engineering and Education Inc., an education software developer, offers a Digital Age Math and Science Teaching Grant for educators and schools who would like to use its StudyWorks software and materials. Applicants submit a proposal of at least 1,000 words detailing how they would use StudyWorks in their 7th through 12th grade classrooms. Schools sponsoring winning teachers receive 25 copies of StudyWorks Mathematics Deluxe and a stipend toward the cost of attending math, science, or technology conferences. Applications will be accepted again in September. The number of winners is based on the number of applications. For more information, contact: MathSoft Engineering and Education Inc., 101 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142; (617) 577-1017; fax (617) 577-8829; e- mail education@mathsoft.com; www.mathsoft.com/studyworks.
*August 1 MATH AND SCIENCE
The Toshiba America Foundation Large Grants Program supports classroom- based, teacher-led projects that improve middle and high school math, science, and technology education. Public and private schools, local educational agencies, and youth organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico may apply for grants over $5,000. For more information, contact: Program Office, Toshiba America Foundation, 1251 Avenue of the Americas, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10020; (212) 588-0820; e-mail foundation@tai.toshiba.com; www.toshiba.com/about/taf.html.
*September 14 AMERICAN MUSIC
The National Music Foundation announces the annual American Music Education Initiative to recognize K-12 teachers of any subject who use American music in their classrooms. Teachers submit lesson plans, which are judged on clarity of objectives, adaptability, effectiveness, and innovation. Three finalists receive grants of $1,000 each, and five semifinalists receive grants of $500 each. The foundation publishes the lesson plans of winners in its online database. Contact: Thomas Heany, Director of Programming, National Music Foundation, 2457A S. Hiawassee Rd., #244, Orlando, FL 32835; (800) USA-MUSIC; e- mail info@usamusic.org; www.nmc.org.
—Marisha Goldhamer
