Following are application dates for student contests, scholarships, and internships. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*January 2 YOUNG NATURALISTS
The Young Naturalist Awards Program, from the American Museum of Natural History, invites students in grades 7-12 to conduct original research in biology, earth science, or astronomy. Students work independently to make observations, record data, and illustrate significant findings before documenting their research in a written essay or field journal. The 12 finalists (two per grade) receive $500 to $2,500 in scholarships and are flown to New York City to meet scientists at the museum, take a behind-the-scenes tour, and attend an awards ceremony. Winners also will have their essays published in a special catalogue. Entrants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens or legal residents living in the United States, Canada, or U.S. territories. Submissions are reviewed by a panel of science teachers and natural history museum scientists. The program is funded by the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation. Contact: American Museum of Natural History, NCSLET, Young Naturalist Awards, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192; e-mail youngnaturalist@nyc.rr.com; www.amnh.org/youngnaturalistaw ards.
*January 6 WRITING
Writing! magazine encourages students in grades 6-12 to submit an original composition about growing up. Entries are judged in two divisions (grades 6-8 and 9-12) of three categories each (fiction, nonfiction, and poetry). Each first-prize winner receives $150 and publication in the magazine. Second-prize winners, who get $100 each, and third-prize winners, who earn $50 each, are named. Contact: Alan Lenhoff, Writing! Contest, 900 Skokie Blvd., Suite 200, Northbrook, IL 60062- 4028; (847) 205-3154; e-mail alenhoff@glcomm.com.
*January 10 LANGUAGE ARTS
The National Council of Teachers of English accepts nominations for its 2003 Promising Young Writers Program. Grade 8 language arts teachers are encouraged to nominate students and submit an example of each nominee’s best written work along with a composition by the nominee on the designated topic. Winners receive a certificate. NCTE charges a $5 nomination fee per student. Contact: Promising Young Writers Program, NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, IL 61801-1096; www.ncte.org/student_awards.
*January 10 MOST VALUABLE STUDENT
The Elks National Foundation encourages high school seniors nationwide to apply for one of 500 Most Valuable Student scholarships, including two top prizes of $60,000 each, given over four years to one male and one female winner. Second-place prizes of $40,000 and third-place prizes of $20,000, also over four years, are given to one male and one female student. Another 494 four- year, $1,000 scholarships are given. Students are judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. Applications are available at local lodges, on the Web site, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the foundation. Contact: Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614; (773) 755-4732; e-mail scholarships@elks.org; www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.c fm.
*January 11 ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
High school juniors who are all-around achievers with a cumulative grade- point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale are encouraged to apply for the Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship, to be used toward any post-high school education or training. Sponsored by Discover Financial Services and the American Association for School Administrators, the award recognizes students who have excelled in areas beyond academics. Up to nine $2,500 (state) and $25,000 (national) prizes are awarded. Contact: Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship, AASA, P.O. Box 9338, Arlington, VA 22219; (703) 875-0708; fax (703) 841-1543; e-mail tributeaward@aasa.org; www.aasa.org/discover.htm.
*January 15 FUTURE TEACHERS
Phi Delta Kappa International awards scholarship grants to high school seniors who intend to major in education. Thirty-three prizes are given: three of $2,000 to $5,000, and 30 $1,000 gifts. Applicants are judged on essays, recommendation letters, academic standing, and school and community activities. Contact: Phi Delta Kappa International, P.O. Box 789, Bloomington, IN 47402- 0789; (800) 766-1156; fax (812) 339-0018; e-mail headquarters@pdkintl.org.
*January 23 PEACE ESSAY
The United States Institute of Peace announces the National Peace Essay Contest for students in grades 9-12. Applicants’ compositions must examine the justification of war. First-place winners from each state receive $1,000 college scholarships and compete for national awards of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 for first, second, and third places, respectively. First- place state winners are also invited to attend an expenses-paid awards program in Washington, D.C., in June. For more information, contact: USIP, 1200 17th St. N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 429-3854; e- mail essay_contest@usip.org; www.usip.org/ed.html.
*January 24 NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
The National Honor Society and the National Association of Secondary School Principals award 200 $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors who have shown outstanding character, earned good grades, performed service projects, and demonstrated strong leadership skills. Society chapters may nominate two members. Contact: NASSP, Department of Student Activities, 1904 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1537; (703) 860-0200, ext. 252; fax (703) 476-5432; e-mail dsa@nassp.org; www.nhs.us.
*January 31 COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Christopher Columbus Awards, from the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation and the National Science Foundation, encourage student teams in grades 6-8 to identify a problem in their community and find an innovative solution. Each of 10 finalist teams receives a $250 grant and an expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World, where winners are selected. Three winning teams split $36,000 in savings bonds; one earns an additional $25,000 grant from the CCFF to develop its idea in the community. Contact: (800) 291-6020; www.christophercolumbusawards.c om.
*January 31 POETRY
The Weekly Reader Corp. requests submissions for the annual Bowler Poetry Prize, sponsored by its literary magazine, READ, and the family of Ann Arlys Bowler in memory of the young poet. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit up to three original poems. Six winners have their poems published in READ, and each receives $100 and a medal. Semifinalists receive $50 and a certificate and have their poems published on the Web site. Contact: Jennifer Kroll, Ann Arlys Bowler Poetry Contest Director, READ, 200 First Stamford Pl., Stamford, CT 06912-0023; (203) 705-3499; e-mail jkroll@weeklyreader.com; www.weeklyreader.com/read.
February 1 AMERICAN HISTORY
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution offers a scholarship to a college- bound senior planning to major in American history. The American History Scholarship provides $2,000 each year for up to four years; renewal is based on an annual transcript review by the national chairman. Students must be sponsored by local DAR chapters, which set their own eligibility standards. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for information by mail. Contact: NSDAR, Office of the Committees and Scholarships, 1776 D St. N.W., Washington, DC 20006; (202) 628-1776.
*February 4 TECHNOLOGY
Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association invite U.S. and Canadian K-12 students to submit entries for ExploraVision. Student teams consider the impact of science and technology on society and how innovative thinking can change the future, then propose a new technology that might exist in 20 years. First-place team members each receive a $10,000 U.S. savings bond; second- place members receive $5,000 bonds. Contact: Toshiba/ NSTA ExploraVision Awards, 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000; (800) EXPLOR-9; e-mail exploravision@nsta.org; www.toshiba.com/tai/exploravisi on.
—Vanessa Dea and Jaime Alberts
