Following are application dates for student contests, scholarships, and internships. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*March 1 HANDWRITING CONTEST
Zaner-Bloser Educational Publishers and Papermate sponsor the National Handwriting Contest for students in grades 1-6. Six national champions in each grade receive a $500 U.S. savings bond as well as plaques for themselves and their schools. One grand national champion receives an additional $500 U.S. savings bond. Entries are judged based on size, shape, slant, and spacing. For more information, contact: Jeff Clowdus, Program Director, National Handwriting Contest, Zaner-Bloser, 2200 W. Fifth Ave., Columbus, OH 43215; (614) 487-2843.
*March 1 SCHOLARSHIPS
Wal-Mart awards Competitive Edge scholarships to 257 high school seniors interested in college study related to manufacturing, industry, or technology. Applicants must have an ACT score of 27 or higher or an SAT score of 1,100 or higher, and they must rank in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. They must also have proven leadership ability as well as a record of community service. Winners receive a $5,000 yearly scholarship, renewable for four years, to one of 144 participating universities. For more information, contact: Keely Beene, Wal-Mart Community Programs, 702 S.W. 8th St., Bentonville, AR 72716-9003; www.wal-mart.com.
*March 1 STOCK MARKET
MainXed, a Web site for teachers and students, and Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization for young entrepreneurs, sponsor the Stocks That Rock! contest. Teams of students manage a $100,000 virtual stock portfolio. The team whose portfolio performs the best wins a trip to New York City and Wall Street; the second-place team wins a computer for its school. Participants must be U.S. residents and full-time students in public, private, or parochial schools. The contest runs from Feb. 1 to March 31, with registration closing March 1. Contact: MainXchange Inc., 2 N. Dean St., Englewood, NJ 07631-2807; (201) 569-4343; www.MainXed.com.
March 10 INVENTIONS
The National Science Teachers Association and Sears, Roebuck, and Co. sponsor the annual Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program. This program encourages students in grades 2-8 to design, build, or modify a tool. Twelve finalists each receive a $5,000 U.S. savings bond; two winners are awarded an additional $5,000 U.S. savings bond. Contact: Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201; (888) 494-4994; e-mail younginventors@nsta.org; www.nsta.org/programs/craftsman.htm.
—Jennifer Pricola
