Following is a list of contests, scholarships, and internships for students organized by application deadline. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*February 28. Internet Competition.
Cisco Systems, Education MCI, and Network Solutions are teaming up with the Global SchoolNet Foundation to sponsor the International Schools Cyberfair ‘97. Schools showcase what is unique about their local communities in one of eight categories and publish it on the web. Every school receives software for completing an entry. Winners of first, second, and third places and honorable mention in each category receive a variety of prizes, including web servers, software, and cameras. Selections are based on a combination of presentation and content. For more information, contact: Global SchoolNet Foundation, (619) 721-2972; e-mail helper@gsn.org;http://www.gsn.org.
March 1. Cartoons. NewsCurrents, a weekly current events program produced for schools by Knowledge Unlimited Inc., announces the NewsCurrents Student Editorial Cartoon Contest. Students in grades K-12 are invited to create a cartoon that will be judged on the basis of clarity, originality, and knowledge of the subject. First-, second-, and third-place winners will be named in three grade categories: K-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Winners will receive savings bonds, and the top 100 cartoons will be featured in the forthcoming book Editorial Cartoons by Kids. For more information and contest rules, contact: Knowledge Unlimited, NewsCurrents Editorial Cartoon Contest, P.O. Box 52, Madison, WI 53701; (800) 356-2303.
*March 1. Epilepsy Scholarship.
Parke-Davis, a national pharmaceutical company, invites nominations for the 1997 Parke-Davis Epilepsy Scholarship. Nominees must be college-bound high school seniors or college students with a record of academic and extracurricular excellence and must be undergoing treatment by a physician for epilepsy. Fourteen $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students; two will be awarded to college seniors for graduate studies. For more information, contact: John Bayliss, Parke-Davis Epilepsy Scholarship Award, c/o IntraMed Educational Group, 1633 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10019; (800) 292-7373.
*March 15. Handwriting.
Peterson Directed Handwriting is sponsoring the National Cursive Handwriting Contest for students in grades 3-8. One winner from each grade will receive a $50 U.S. savings bond and a framed certificate. All entries judged excellent will be elected to the National Cursive Handwriting Honor Society and will be awarded a certificate. Contestant writing samples should contain at least four lines of writing. Grade 3 entries may be in pencil; entries from grades 4-8 must be in ink. Entries are judged on such characteristics as letter formation, forward slant, size, and spacing. For an entry form and more information, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Peterson Handwriting, P.O. Box 249, Greensburg, PA 15601. Entry requests can also be sent by fax to (412) 836-4110 or by e-mail to mrpencil@pgh.net.
*March 21. Underage Drinking.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving announces several contests for 1997. The theme for this year, “My World, My Choice, No Alcohol,” reflects a new focus by MADD to involve young people in the battle against underage drinking. The poster contest is open to children in grades 1-12. Children in grades 4-12 are eligible for an essay contest; entries should be about 250 words long and written in English or Spanish. The black-and-white photography contest is open to students in grades 7-12. The public-service advertisement video contest is also open to children in grades 7-12; videos must be 30 seconds long and accompanied by an audiotape. Seven national first-place winners will be named from all the contests. Each of these winners will receive a $1,000 U.S. savings bond and an expenses-paid trip to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Seven second-place winners will each receive a $500 U.S. savings bond. Seven third-place winners will receive a $250 U.S. savings bond. For more information and contest guidelines, contact: MADD National Office, Programs Department, 511 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 700, Irving, TX 75062; (214) 744-6233, ext. 204.
March 31. Internet Scholarships.
Universal Algorithms Inc., college-software producer, offers a $5,000 college scholarship. Students are eligible who apply via Collegenet’s Internet service as full-time students to colleges, universities, vocational schools, and technical training schools. Collegenet offers information about financial aid, scholarships, college policies, and higher education. For more information, contact: Universal Algorithms Inc., One S.W. Columbia, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97258; (503) 973-5200; http://www.collegenet.com.
*March 31. Zinc.
The American Zinc Association invites students in grades 7-12 to enter the William J. Gage National Student Zinc Essay Contest. Students must research the metal zinc and write a five- to 10-page essay on its importance in our society and in our daily lives. A winner from grades 7-9 and from grades 10-12 will each win a $500 U.S. savings bond, a two-day trip to Washington, D.C., and a $200 contribution to his or her school’s science department. For more information, contact: National Student Zinc Essay Contest, American Zinc Association, 1112 16th St., N.W., Suite 240, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 835-0164; http://www.zinc.org.
*April 1. Archaeology.
The National Science Foundation, in conjunction with the Center for American Archaeology, invites high school juniors and seniors to apply for the Young Scholars Program. Thirty students will receive full or partial scholarships to participate in the 6-week summer program that includes excavations, lectures, and field trips. Students design and conduct their own research projects in bioanthropology, botany, geomorphology, lithics, ceramics, or zoology. Contact: Center for American Archaeology, NSF-YS Program, P.O. Box 366, Kampsville, IL 62053; (618) 653-4316.
*April 1. Automotive Scholarships.
The National Hot Rod Association, in conjunction with Sears Craftsman and Racerz Sports Shoe Company, invites high school seniors to enter its 1997 scholarship competitions. The 1997 Sears Craftsman Scholarship competition will award 14 scholarships of $1,200 each. The “Racerz” Legends of Drag Racing High School Scholarship competition will award seven scholarships of $300 each. For both competitions, awards will be given to students planning a career in automotive technological, industrial, or marketing fields. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating from public, private, or parochial high schools from Jan. 1 to June 30. For more information, contact: Pat Talaska, NHRA Youth and Education Services, 2035 Financial Way, Glendora, CA 91741; (818) 914-4761, ext. 289.
*April 1. Essay Contest.
The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors an essay contest on Rand’s novella Anthem for high school freshmen and sophomores. The best essayist receives a $1,000 cash award. Ten second-prize winners receive $200 each; 20 third-prize winners receive $100 each. Essays must run between 600 and 1,200 words in length and focus on one of three topics chosen by the institute. For more information, contact: Anthem Essay Contest, Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 6099, Inglewood, CA 90312; (310) 306-9232.
*April 1. Service Award.
The Hitachi Foundation, a nonprofit and philanthropic organization, seeks nominations for the 1997 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community. The award recognizes high school seniors who have distinguished records of community leadership and service. As many as 11 winners will receive $5,000 each and participate in an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.; roughly five finalists each receive $1,000. For more information, contact: Yoshiyama Award, P.O. Box 19247, Washington, DC 20036-9247; (202) 457-0588.
*April 10. Inventions.
The National Science Teachers Association and Sears, Roebuck and Company have launched the first annual Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program. This program aims to encourage students in grades 4-6 to use their imagination and creativity to design, build, or modify a tool. Eleven regional winners each will receive a $5,000 U.S. savings bond; the national winner will be awarded a $10,000 U.S. savings bond. Contact: Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (888) 494-4994.
*April 14. Young Playwrights.
Very Special Arts, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, invites individuals ages 25 and under with disabilities to enter the 1997 Playwright Discovery Program. Entrants submit an original script that focuses on some aspect of a disability. Two plays--one by a playwright 18 years old or younger and one by a playwright between the ages of 19-25--will be selected for production at the Kennedy Center in the fall of 1997. Award recipients also will receive scholarship funds and a trip to Washington, D.C., to view their production. For more information, contact: Very Special Arts, Education Office, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC 20566; (800) 933-8721; TTY (202) 737-0645; fax (202) 737-0725; e-mail elenaw@vsarts.org.
*April 15. High School Fund Raisers.
The Future Business Leaders of America and the Association of Fund Raisers and Direct Sellers have established the Actions Speak National Scholarship Program. A $5,000 college scholarship and five $800 scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors. Applicants submit a description of a fund-raising project, an official transcript of high school grades, and two letters of recommendation. Applicants must be members of a local FBLA chapter. For more information, contact: Actions Speak, c/o FBLA, 1912 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191; (703) 860-3334.
*April 15. Essay Contest.
Students in grades 10-12 are invited to enter the Discover Gold Essay Contest sponsored by the Gold Institute. Contestants research and write a five- to 10-page essay on the uses of gold in daily life. The first-place winner will be awarded $750, the second-place winner $500, and the third-place winner $250. The first- and second-place winners and an accompanying parent, guardian, or teacher will receive a two-day visit to Washington, D.C. The Gold Institute will also donate $1,000 to the science department of each winner’s school. For more information, send a self-addressed, stamped business-size envelope to the Gold Institute, 1112 16th St., N.W., Suite 240, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 835-0185; http://www.goldinstitute.com.
*April 21. Adventure.
Outside magazine and Hi-Tec, a footwear company, are sponsoring a contest for modern-day explorers. Teams of up to six students ages 12-17 are invited to submit proposals for the adventure or expedition of their dreams. A panel of explorers will judge how the ideas combine exploration, adventure, potential for success, and benefit to the natural world. One team will win the chance to take their proposed adventure. The team will keep journals and take photographs that will be posted with other information about their adventure on Outside On-line at http://outside.starwave.com. A free guide for teachers is available that outlines how this program can be used in classrooms and schools. For more information, contact: John Alderman, Outside magazine, (505) 989-7100; e-mail jalderman@outsidemag.com.
