Education

For Your Students

October 01, 1997 17 min read
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Following is a list of contests, scholarships, and internships for students organized by application deadline. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.

*Open. Television.

CNN Newsroom & WorldView, Turner Broadcasting’s news and features program for schools, airs student-produced videos. Students may submit reports of no more than two and a half minutes on any topic, although students are encouraged to focus on popular themes in education. Participation is open to all schools enrolled in the CNN Newsroom & WorldView program. For more information, contact: CNN Newsroom School Videos Program, 1 CNN Center, 10 South, Seventh Floor, North Tower, Atlanta, GA 30303; (800) 344-6219; http://learning.turner.com.

Open. History Essays.

The Concord Review, a quarterly publication, accepts student essays on historical topics. Essays should be approximately 5,000 words, plus endnotes. Submissions chosen for publication will be eligible for the 1998 Emerson Prize, a $2,000 award given to as many as three students. For more information, contact: The Concord Review, P.O. Box 661, Concord, MA 01742; (800) 331-5007 or (508) 443-0022; e-mail fitzhugh@tcr.org; http://www.tcr.org.

October 1. Art.

The National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts announces its Arts Recognition and Talent Search Program, open to high school seniors ages 17 and 18. The 125 student artists selected receive a trip to Miami for workshops and auditions and receive hotel accommodations, meals, ground transportation, and cash awards ranging from $100 to $3,000. About 20 of the artists are selected as Presidential Scholars in the Arts and are honored at the White House. Awards are based on merit in eight art forms. Applicants must pay a $35 entry fee. For more information, call: (800) 970-ARTS.

October 1. Music Composition.

The Delius Association of Florida and Jacksonville University announce the 12th Annual High School Composition Contest. Students in grades 10-12 are eligible to submit compositions for one to eight musicians using piano, organ, or band or orchestra instruments. (Voices count as instruments.) The first-prize winner receives $200, the second-prize winner $100. For official rules and guidelines, contact: Delius Composition Contest for High School Composers, College of Fine Arts, Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32211-9925; (904) 745-7371.

October 1. Peace Poster.

Lions Clubs International invites students ages 11-13 to participate in its 1997-98 Peace Poster Contest. Contestants submit a poster created in pencil, crayon, pen, marker, paint, or chalk on this year’s theme: “A World in Harmony.” The grand-prize winner receives $2,500, plus an expenses-paid trip with two family members to attend an awards ceremony at the United Nations in New York City. Participating schools must be sponsored by a Lions Club. For more information, contact your local Lions Club or the Lions Clubs International headquarters at (800) 288-8846.

October 7. Recycling.

The Can Manufacturers Institute’s Great Aluminum Can Roundup encourages groups to collect cans for recycling. Participants who write stories about their recycling program and their experiences are eligible for first-, second-, and third-place prizes of $1,000, $700, and $500, respectively, in four geographic regions. A national winner is also selected and receives an additional $1,000. The recycling programs and stories are judged on social and environmental impact, creativity, initiative, and adaptation to the community. Recycling information, goal charts, posters, and more are available at (800) 462-0003. For information on the writing contest, contact: Jenny Day, Director of Recycling, Can Manufacturers Institute, 1625 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 232-4677; fax (202) 232-5756; e-mail jday@cancentral.com.

October 10. Science And Technology.

Tandy Corp., with support from the National Association of Secondary School Principals, announces its Tandy Technology Scholars program. Schools may nominate one student in grades 9-11 as their top mathematics, science, or computer-science student based on grade-point average, test scores, relevant coursework, and community service. Schools with graduating classes of more than 300 may nominate two students. One hundred students receive $1,000 for college or university tuition. For more information, contact: Tandy Technology Scholars, TCU Box 298990, Fort Worth, TX 76129; (817) 924-4087; e-mail TandyScholar@tcu.edu; http://www.tandy.com/scholars.

*October 15. Young Playwrights.

Young Playwrights Inc. invites students ages 18 and under to write original nonmusical plays for the Young Playwrights Festival. The festival aims to identify, develop, and encourage young playwrights to create new work for the theater. As many as four plays are accepted for production at the festival, and about 12 students are invited to attend various workshops. For more information, contact: Young Playwrights Festival, Dept. TM, 321 W. 44th St., Suite 906, New York, NY 10036; (212) 307-1140.

October 24. Greeting Card Contest.

UNICEF, Pier 1 Imports, and Better Homes and Gardens magazine sponsor the UNICEF 1997 Greeting Card Contest for U.S. citizens ages 13 and younger. Applicants should design greeting cards on this year’s theme, “Kids Helping Kids.” A grand-prize winner is selected in two categories: ages 7 and younger and ages 8-13. Entry forms are available at Pier 1 Imports stores and should be mailed to: Pier 1 Imports, 301 Commerce St., Suite 600, P.O. Box 961020, Fort Worth, TX 76161-0020.

October 30. Community Spirit.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals announces the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The awards recognize middle-level and high school students who have performed exemplary, self-initiated community service. Schools may select one honoree for every 1,000 students enrolled. One high school and one middle-level student in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are named “state honorees” and receive $1,000, a silver medallion, and an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Ten state winners (five high school and five middle-level students) are named “national honorees” and receive an additional $5,000, a gold medal, and a trophy for their school. Contact: 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; http://www.nassp.org/dsa/dsa_frm.htm.

*October 31. College Scholarship.

Paper Mate is sponsoring Write to Learn, a nationwide essay contest. To enter, students write an essay of 50 words or fewer on the topic: “What does a college education mean to me?” The grand-prize winner receives an $80,000 college scholarship. Ten second-prize winners get $3,300 Apple Macintosh Performa computers, and 20 third-prize winners get $500 back-to-school shopping sprees. For more information, see your local Sunday newspaper or visit stores where Paper Mate products are sold. For contest rules, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Paper Mate Rules, P.O. Box 8600, Westport, CT 06888.

*October 31. Scholarships.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation offers merit-based scholarships to U.S. college-bound seniors attending school in a participating Coca-Cola bottler’s territory. Students will be evaluated on their leadership abilities, academic achievements, and motivation to succeed. Fifty are chosen as national scholars and receive awards of $20,000 for college. Another 100 students are designated regional scholars and receive $4,000 each. Seniors should contact their guidance counselors for applications. More information is available at http://www.cocacola.com/scholars/, or call (404) 733-5420 or (800) 306-2653.

November 3. Musicians.

Very Special Arts invites any instrumentalist or vocalist who has a disability and is 25 or younger to apply for the 1998 Panasonic Young Soloists Award. One vocalist and one instrumentalist will be named winners. Each will receive a $5,000 scholarship to pursue music studies and the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Applicants must submit a video or audio recording, a letter of application, and a one-page essay. For more information and to request an application packet, contact: Very Special Arts, Young Soloists Program, Education Office, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC 20566; (800) 933-8721; (202) 737-0645 (TDD).

November 14. Children’s Art.

Pentel of America Ltd., a manufacturer of writing instruments and art materials, is sponsoring the 28th International Children’s Art Exhibition. Entrants must be ages 3-15 on January 1, 1998, and submit drawings, paintings, collages, or woodcut designs that are flat and two-dimensional. U.S. creations must be submitted through an art instructor or educator. For rules, contact: Janet Quan, International Children’s Art Exhibition, Pentel of America Ltd., 2805 Columbia St., Torrance, CA 90509; (800) 421-1419, ext. 269.

November 14. Water.

EcoWater Systems, a manufacturer of commercial and residential water systems, invites students in grades 6-8 to enter the World of Water Contest. To participate, students must create a public service advertisement that encourages the conservation and protection of the water supply. One winner is selected in each grade at the local, regional, and national level. Three national winners receive $500; 15 regional winners receive $100. Teachers of the national winners receive a trip to the 1998 National Science Teachers Association convention in Las Vegas or the cash equivalent worth up to $1,500. The winning advertisements are distributed among local media. Contact a local EcoWater dealer: (800) 86-WATER.

November 15. Gardening.

The National Gardening Association welcomes applicants for its Youth Garden Grants Program. Gardening programs involving at least 15 children ages 3-18 are eligible to win one of 300 grants, each worth more than $750 in tools, seeds, plants, and garden products. Contact: Garden Grants Dept. PS, National Gardening Association, 180 Flynn Ave., Burlington, VT 05401; (800) 538-7476; http://www2.garden.org/nga/EDU/NGA-EDU6.HTM .

November 15. Technology.

MultiMedia Schools Magazine and Compaq Computer Corp. announce the 1998 Student Technology Leaders Award. The award honors outstanding students who have made exemplary and innovative use of information technology in their schools and communities. The competition is open to full-time students attending a public or private school in the continental United States. Students compete in one of three grade-level categories: K-5, 6-8, or 9-12. Students must be nominated by a teacher, media specialist, or school administrator; teams of students may also be nominated. Three winners will attend and participate in the 1998 National Educational Computing Conference in San Diego from June 22-24. For more information, contact: Student Technology Leaders Award, c/o MultiMedia Schools Magazine, 2809 Brandywine St., N.W., Washington, DC 20008; e-mail; deneen@mindspring.com; http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools.

November 21. Poster Contest.

The Caring Institute invites students in 1st through 12th grades to enter the 1997 Art of Caring Poster Contest. Entrants submit works of art illustrating the importance of caring. First-, second-, and third-place winners are selected from each grade level and win $100, $75, and $50, respectively. Contact: Art of Caring Poster Contest, Caring Institute, 513 C St., N.E., Washington, DC 20002-5809; (202) 547-4273.

November 24. 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., in March to participate in the Science Talent Institute. Finalists compete for scholarships of up to $40,000. For more information, contact: Science Talent Search, c/o Science Service, 1719 N St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-2255; http://www.westinghouse.com/cmty/h_sci.htm.

*December 1. Essay Contest.

The U.S. Committee for UNICEF is sponsoring the first annual UNICEF/USA Kids Speak for Kids Essay Contest. Essays of no more than 200 words should be submitted on the following topic: “Imagine that you are a journalist. Write an essay that expresses your opinion on what can be done to end exploitative child labor.” Grand prizes are awarded in two grade-level categories: 4-5 and 6-8. The winner from each will visit the United Nations, be honored at a U.N. ceremony, and serve as a U.S. Committee for UNICEF National Youth Ambassador for one year. For entry forms and contest guidelines, contact: U.S. Committee for UNICEF, 333 East 38th St., New York, NY 10016; (800) FOR-KIDS; http://www.unicefusa.org.

*December 1. Science-By-Mail.

The Boston Museum of Science offers Science-by-Mail, a program that pairs students in grades 4-9 with scientist pen pals who help the youngsters complete hands-on experiments and other activities. Membership costs $49 for groups of up to four children and $294 for an entire class. Contact: Science-by-Mail, Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, MA 02114-1099; (800) 729-3300; e-mail sbm@a1.mos.org.

*December 5. Fire Sprinklers.

High school seniors nationwide are invited to write an essay for the American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship Contest. Essays should run between 700 and 1,000 words and address the topic, “How fire sprinklers affect your community.” Seven regional winners each receive a $750 scholarship. One first-place national winner receives an additional $2,500 scholarship, one second-place national winner receives an additional $1,500 scholarship, and one third-place national winner gets an additional $750 scholarship. For more information, contact: Scholarship Contest, American Fire Sprinkler Association, 12959 Jupiter Rd., Suite 142, Dallas, TX 75238; (214) 349-5965; fax (214) 343-8898; http://www.firesprinkler.org.

*December 5. Writing And Art.

Weekly Reader Corp. seeks entries for its Read magazine Writing and Art Awards. Students in grades 6-12 are eligible to win in three categories: two-dimensional artwork; essays; and fiction. Cash prizes include: $100 for first place in the art category and $225 for first place in the essay and fiction categories. For guidelines and entry coupons, contact: Read Writing and Art Awards, Weekly Reader Corp., 200 First Stamford Pl., P.O. Box 120023, Stamford, CT 06912-0023; (203) 705-3449.

*December 12. Leadership.

Schools are invited to nominate one high school senior for the Principal’s Leadership Award, funded by Herff Jones Inc. and administered by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The nominees from each school receive a certificate of merit and are considered semifinalists for one of 150 $1,000 scholarships. For more information, contact: 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; http:/www.nassp.org/dsa/dsa_frm.htm.

*December 12. Poetry.

Read magazine announces its Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Prize. Students in grades 6-12 may submit up to three typed poems. Entries should be no longer than one page. Six national winners receive $100, a medal of honor, and publication in an all-student issue of Read. Six semifinalists receive $50, a certificate, and the possibility of being published. For guidelines and entry coupons, contact: Bowler Poetry Contest, Weekly Reader Corp., 200 First Stamford Pl., P.O. Box 120023, Stamford, CT 06912-0023; (203) 705-3406.

*December 15. Radio.

Earth and Sky Radio, in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, invites students in grades K-12 to enter its fourth annual Young Producers Contest. To enter, teams of students write and record a radio show on a science or nature topic of their choice. Five winners will be chosen for broadcast on the Earth and Sky Radio series. Members of the grand-prize winning team will receive $1,000 U.S. savings bonds; members of the four other finalist teams will get $500 U.S. savings bonds. For more information, contact: Earth and Sky; (512) 480-8773; e-mail contest@earthsky.com; http://www.earthsky.com/yp/info.html.

*December 31. Mural Contest.

The Bureau for At-Risk Youth offers its fourth 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 the mural, and it is featured on the cover of the fall Bureau for At-Risk Youth catalog. For more information, contact: Bureau for At-Risk Youth, 135 Dupont St., P.O. Box 760, Plainview, NY 11803-0760; (800) 999-6884, ext. 211; http://www.at-risk.com/commun/calendar/contest.htm.

*January 10. Language Arts.

The National Council of Teachers of English is accepting nominations for its 1998 Promising Young Writers Program. Eighth grade language arts teachers are encouraged to nominate students and submit examples of their best written work. Winning students receive a certificate of recognition. The council charges a $5 nomination fee per student. For more information, contact: Promising Young Writers Program, National Council of Teachers of English, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, IL 61801-1096.

*January 14. Batteries.

Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to design and build working devices powered by Duracell batteries for the Annual Duracell/NSTA Scholarship Competition. There are two categories: grades 7-9 and 10-12. Students may enter individually or in teams of two. Fifty winners in each category receive savings bonds ranging from $200 to $20,000. First- and second-place winners, their parents, and their teacher/sponsors are flown to attend awards events at the NSTA National Convention in Las Vegas in April 1998. Teachers of the six top prize winners each receive $2,000 gift certificates for computers and accessories, and nearly 100 other teachers also win awards. For more information, contact: Duracell/NSTA Scholarship Competition, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (888) 255-4242; http://www.nsta.org/programs/duracell.shtml.

*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; http://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; http://www.luthbro.com/youth/forum.html.

*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; http://www.eftours.com/special/html/ambass.html .

*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.

*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, their parents, and their advisers also win an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the awards ceremony. For more information, contact: Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (800) EXPLOR-9 or (703) 243-7100; e-mail exploravision@nsta.org; http://www.nsta.org/programs/exploravision.shtml.

--Julie Hope Kaufman

A version of this article appeared in the October 01, 1997 edition of Teacher Magazine as For Your Students

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