Looking for a Classroom Project? Here's a Good One.

The Live Monarch Foundation Educator Outreach Program provides funding for K–12 teachers to enroll in a national campaign to bring monarch butterflies into the classroom. The program provides information and materials for people to strengthen the monarch’s 3,000 mile migratory route and replace lost habitat within North America by creating self-sustaining butterfly gardens and refuges.

You'll need a place to grow milkweed plants—as few or as many as you want—the primary food of the monarch butterfly and the place where it lays its eggs. Young caterpillars even spend their first few days eating their milkweed habitat, until they transform into chrysalises and emerge as butterflies.

The rest you can receive for free (postage required) by applying online for a teachers' package that contains basic supplies to begin a monarch project. The package includes milkweed seeds, but for a little money you can buy small milkweed plants from the Foundation and shorten your project cycle by 45 days.

The Web site has project ideas and other resources, including background information on the monarch and updates on the annual migration. Go to www.livemonarch.org/. Deadline: rolling

November 22–December 6, 2008

Now in its third year, the Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands will travel with 30 educators in late November 2008 to this World Heritage Site in the Pacific Ocean that was critical to Darwin's work, and home to unique ecosystems found no where else on Earth.

The 2008 program takes place November 22–December 6, 2008, including travel time, two night pre-departure orientation, and 12 nights in Ecuador. Direct costs of participation (transportation, lodging, meals and all program activities) are paid by Toyota.*

While on the Galapagos Islands, program participants will have the unique opportunity to work in groups with Galapagueño teachers on the design of interdisciplinary environmental lessons that can be implemented in their home schools. These lessons will also be shared with the education community.

Full time teachers in all subject areas of grades 6–12 and library media specialists are encouraged to apply for this fully-funded international professional development opportunity. The deadline to apply is May 9, 2008. For information and to apply, visit www.iie.org/programs/toyota/galapagos/galapagos_main_w_links.html.

Note: To help defray costs for a participant's absence, Toyota is pleased to award the school of each selected participant $500.00. These funds may be used at the discretion of the school principal or superintendent to help pay the costs for a substitute teacher or to purchase materials for the implementation of the selected participant's lesson plan.

Support for Youth and Science Education

Since its inception in 1984, the American Honda Foundation has provided more than $20 million in grants to programs in the areas of youth and scientific education.

Grants from $10,000–$100,000 each are provided to the following:

• K–12 Educational institutions
• Accredited higher education institutions (colleges and universities), community colleges, and vocational or trade schools
• Scholarship and fellowship programs at selected colleges and/or universities or through selected non-profit organizations
• Other scientific and education-related, non-profit, tax-exempt organizations
• Gifted student programs
• Media concerning youth education and/or scientific education
• Private, non-profit scientific and/or youth education projects
• other non-profit, tax-exempt, institutions in the fields of youth education and scientific education
• Programs pertaining to academic or curriculum development that emphasize innovative educational methods and techniques.

To determine if your program/project meets qualifications for consideration, the online application process begins with an Eligibility Quiz at http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf. You can also read about previous grant recipients. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2008.

Program Supports Youth-Led Community Activities

Burton Snowboards and Girl Overboard author Justina Chen Headley, in partnership with Youth Venture, are co-sponsoring Go Overboard Challenge Grants to find the best youth-led ideas to change the world.

Youth are encouraged to commit to a cause they're already passionate about—whether saving the environment, ending world hunger, or protecting endangered species. Some examples:

• Olympic Gold medal-winning snowboarder Hannah Teter, with the help of Green Mountain Sugar House, bottles Vermont-grown maple syrup, "Hannah's Gold," to earn money for AIDS orphans in Africa.
• Justina Chen Headley co-founded readergirlz, an online book community, to promote teen girl literacy.
• Syrah—a character in Girl Overboard—spearheaded a snowboarding event to raise awareness for cancer.

Applicants then tell how they, their club, team, or school will "Go Overboard." The best ideas will win one of the many grants of up to $1,000 each.

Visit http://genv.net/en-us/burton for more information and to download an application. The deadline to apply is is May 1, 2008.

Girl Teams in Grades 9–12 Encouraged to Take the Lead

Supported by Gatorade and the Women’s Sports Foundation, these awards are designed to inspire girl teams to take a leadership role in fighting the health risks associated with physical inactivity that affect girls in their own communities.

Having fun with fitness is a key element to getting girls physically active. Teams must lead their own project that will get girls in their communities physically active, and submit a detailed essay explaining the project. A total of $50,000 in twenty $2,500 grants will be awarded in recognition of the outstanding efforts of 20 teams throughout the country.

School, amateur, community, and/or nonprofit affiliated teams whose members are female, enrolled in 9th–12th grade, and residents of the United States are eligible to apply. Grants will be made payable to the school, nonprofit institution, or 501(c)(3)organization.

The deadline to apply is July 18, 2008. Visit www.womenssportsfoundation.org/cgi-bin/iowa/funding/featured.html?record=34 for more information and to download the application form.

Note: The Women's Sports Foundation also offers GoGirlGo! Grants for girls aged 8–13.

Awards Inspire a New Generation of Inventors

Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams is a national grants initiative of the Lemelson-MIT Program to foster inventiveness among high school students. InvenTeams composed of high school science, mathematics, or technology teachers, students, and mentors are asked to identify a problem to solve, research the problem, and develop a prototype invention as an in-class or extracurricular project. The program is designed to:

• excite high school students about science, math, engineering, entrepreneurship, and invention
• empower students through problem-solving
• encourage a culture of invention in schools and communities.

InvenTeams projects have spanned many fields, from assistive devices to environmental technologies and consumer goods. Applicants are encouraged to consider the needs of the world's poorest people (those earning $2/day) when brainstorming project ideas. Applying is a two-step process. Applications for the 2009 InvenTeams are available online now.

The deadline for the initial application is April 25, 2008. Up to 35 Excite Award recipients will be selected from these applications, notified in the spring, and asked to complete a final application due in September. From these, up to 15 InvenTeams will be chosen and announced in early October. Grants of up to $10,000 per team will be awarded.

For more information, go to http://web.mit.edu/inventeams.

Honoring Education Innovators Who Improve Student Learning

For more than 10 years, the ING Unsung Heroes program, administered by ING, the international financial services company, has rewarded K–12 educators who use new teching methods and techniques that improve learning.

To apply, educators submit applications that describe projects they have initiated or would like to pursue. Projects are judged on:

• innovative method
• creativity
• ability to positively influence students

One hundred finalists are selected to receive a $2,000 grant, payable to both the winning teacher and his or her school. At least one grant is awarded in each of the 50 states, provided that at least one qualified application was received from each state. Winners are selected by Scholarship America, a national non-profit educational support and student aid service organization.

Of the 100 finalists, three top winners are selected by ING's Educators Advisory Board (consisting of six distinguished educators from across the United States) for additional financial awards:

• $25,000 for first place
• $10,000 for second place
• $5,000 for third place.

If you lead or have an idea for an outstanding educational project, apply by April 30, 2008. You'll find information and a downloadable application at www.ing-usa.com/us/aboutING/communityconnections/ineducation/unsungheroes.

Program Supports Girl Athletes in Middle School

Sponsored by the Women's Sports Foundation, GoGirlGo! Grants provide financial assistance to sports/physical activity programs seeking to add new or expand program participation opportunities for an under-served population of girls ages 8–13, particularly economically disadvantaged girls, and/or girls from populations with high incidences of health-risk behaviors.

Delivery of a minimum 8-week sports/physical activity program is required, along with implementation of the free GoGirlGo! curriculum.

Girl-serving organizations (schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, non-profit organizations, YWCAs, etc.) may apply, although preference is given to organizations that work consistently with girls throughout the year. A total of $430,000 will be awarded. (In 2007, the average grant awarded was $5,700.)

Visit www.womenssportsfoundation.org/cgi-bin/iowa/funding/featured.html?record=40 for guidelines and an application form. The deadline to apply is May 9, 2008.

Note: The Women's Sports Foundation and Gatorade also offer the GoGirlGo! Ambassador Team Awards for girls in grades 9–12.

Support for Your Ideas to Improve Teaching in Science and Math

Toshiba America Foundation grants support inquiry-based projects designed by individual teachers and small teams of teachers for use in their own classrooms to improve teaching and learning in science and mathematics. Classroom teachers must be involved in planning projects and be ready to initiate projects upon receipt of funds.

Grants can cover any subject area in science and mathematics; new ideas are welcome, but be sure to review the list of exclusions.

The large grant cycle (awards of $5,000 and more) for grades 7–12 is now active. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2008. Visit www.toshiba.com/tafpub/jsp/home/default.jsp for complete guidelines and a downloadable application.

Middle School Teachers: Develop Ideas to Further Environmental and Energy Sustainability

To encourage educators to "live green," Discovery Education and General Motors will award 40 educators in public middle and junior high schools $1000 each to implement inventive classroom lessons on the environment or renewable energy initiatives.

Winners will also be invited to participate in an online professional development program promoting school-specific green initiatives. As part of the Webinar series, grant recipients will each receive a free digital camera to document their experiences teaching environmental or renewable energy lessons.

Teachers of grades 5–9 are eligible to participate. Applicants must submit online a 750-word essay that explains how they will advance student learning about sustaining resources through the use of new and emerging technologies. Essays should demonstrate vision, creativity, and a novel way of presenting environmental and energy-related concepts.

The deadline to apply is May 15. For more information and to apply, visit http://livegreen.discoveryeducation.com.

Driver Safety Commercials Win Scholarships for Teens

Bridgestone Firestone has launched the 2008 Safety Scholars Video Contest—a chance for young filmmakers to have their auto safety videos aired as public service commercials. The contest will award three $5,000 college scholarships for the most compelling and effective videos with life-saving messages on auto and tire safety. The top 10 filmmakers will also receive a new set of Bridgestone tires.

Safety videos must be 25 or 55 seconds in length. The first 300 entries will be accepted May 27–June 24 at SafetyScholars.com. A panel of judges will choose the top 10 based on the following criteria:

• How well the video compels viewers to be more safety-conscious, including topics such as seat belt usage, tire safety, and avoiding in-vehicle distractions;
• how well it effectively communicates its message.

The top 10 videos will appear on SafetyScholars.com, YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook. Viewers will select the winners through online voting at SafetyScholars.com. The three grand prize-winning videos will be announced on August 27 at Safety-Scholars.com.

Participants must be 16–21 years old; be legal residents of the United States; possess a valid driver's license; and be enrolled full-time at accredited secondary, college level, or trade schools. For more information, visit SafetyScholars.com.

Win a CP300 Portable Document Camera for Your Classroom!

AVerMedia Technologies, Inc. is hosting the AVerVision Lesson Plan Contest for K–12 and Higher-Ed classrooms. Teachers are asked to submit a lesson plan relating to one of six subjects—mathematics, science, English/language arts, history/social studies, art/music, and other—that includes a document camera as the primary technology or demonstration device.

Lesson plans will be judged on originality, creativity, and effective use of a document camera in the lesson itself. One lesson plan per teacher will be accepted, which must be submitted online at www.avermedia-usa.com/presentation/promotion_lesson_plan.asp. One new CP300 Portable Document Camera plus $1,000 for additional classroom technology purchases will be awarded to the winner of each subject category.

The deadline to submit is April 18, 2008. Winners will be announced by May 2. Visit the Web site for a full description of the contest, rules, and submission requirements.

Earn an Interactive Whiteboard for Your Classroom

The SMARTer Kids Research Foundation is offering educators the chance to earn an interactive whiteboard for their classrooms.

Over a minimum of six months, selected participants will conduct a study of a learning environment that uses either the SMART Board interactive whiteboard (which allows teachers and students to write and erase notes, use the touch-sensitive screen to control computer applications, and save information for review), or a Senteo interactive response system (an assessment tool that provides a wireless connection between students and teachers, allowing teachers to quiz and poll students at any time and receive their responses instantly), or a combination of the two.

North American preservice and in-service teachers, graduate students, college and university instructors, and professors are eligible to apply, either as individuals or teams. Applicants must submit a research proposal that includes:

• a specific research goal
• a description of technology as a tool, not a subject
• a sound, rigorous research methodology
• a focus on learning, teaching, or professional development outcomes.

In addition to progress reports, projects conclude with a research paper detailing the study's findings.

Applicants must have a computer and digital projector to participate. The Foundation will loan successful applicants a Front Projection SMART Board interactive whiteboard with floor stand, and, if appropriate to their research, a Senteo interactive response system. When all program requirements have been met, the loaned product will be donated to the participating school.

For details on project requirements and how to complete a proposal, visit http://smarterkids.org/research/details.asp. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2008.

International Video Clip Competition Encourages Young Filmmakers

The Festival VidéEau—an international video clip competition organized by the Canadian government in preparation for the 2009 World Water Forum in Istanbul—invites youg people ages 17–30 from around the world to submit up to 90-second video clips on the theme, Water, People, and Sustainable Development."

The theme encompasses the uses for water, its meaning in different cultures, and challenges to manage it properly. Subjects could include the pollution of rivers or water tables, water wastage, problems of access to drinking water and sanitation, the melting of glaciers because of climate change, or action taken by people to preserve the water near their homes.

Pre-selected clips will be submitted to an international jury of experts in water and film who will choose three winners. The first prize winner will receive $2,000; the second prize is $1,500; and the third prize is $1,000. Winners will be announced during the World Youth Congress in Quebec, Canada, from August 10–21, 2008. The best clips will also be screened at various events.

Video clips in MiniDV (NTSC) and DVD (multizone format) only must be received before midnight on June 15, 2008, addressed to:

International Secretariat for Water
7, rue de la Commune O., bureau 203
Montréal (Québec)
Canada H2Y 2C5

Visit www.i-s-w.org/en/videeau_en.html for more information.

Support for College Students Preparing to Teach High School Math

Supported by the Texas Instruments Demana-Waits Fund and administered by the Mathematics Education Trust at National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), this scholarship provides financial support to college students preparing to teach secondary school mathematics.

For 2008-2009, one scholarship with a maximum value of $10,000 will be awarded to a person who is:

• currently completing their sophomore year of college
• scheduling for full-time study at a four- or five-year college or university in the next academic year
• pursuing a career goal of becoming a certified teacher of secondary school mathematics.

To apply for the scholarship, a written proposal must be submitted that includes evidence of the applicant’s past academic achievement in a college or university and the applicant’s commitment to pursue a teaching career in secondary school mathematics. This scholarship can be applied to tuition, fees, course materials, and other expenses directly related to the recipient’s academic program of study. Any acquisition of equipment must support the applicant’s plan of study but not require more than 10 percent, or $1,000, of the entire scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded in two phases, with $5,000 for the recipient’s third year of full-time study, and $5,000 for the recipient’s fourth year of full-time study. Coursework and graduation is to be completed between April 1, 2010, and August 31, 2012.

For complete details, including instructions on assembling an application packet, visit http://nctm.org/resources/content.aspx?id=1338. The application packet must be postmarked by May 9, 2008 (updated college transcript due June 1, 2008).

Presidential Council Will Recognize Teen Fiscal Awareness

In April 2008, high school teachers are invited to save a class period for the first National Financial Literacy Challenge. A new initiative of the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, this recognition program will use a voluntary, online test to determine and reward high levels of financial literacy among high school students.

The test will involve 35 questions on basic personal finance, taking the average student an estimated 40-45 minutes to complete. In most instances, a computer lab will be required.

Students scoring in the top 25th percentile of national scores will be eligible for recognition from the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy.

Beginning in late April 2008, the Challenge will be offered for approximately three weeks. Teachers may choose any day within this window to ask their students to participate.

For more information

If you are a high school teacher, you may sign up for the official distribution list by e-mailing flc@do.treas.gov. Be sure to include "Interest in National Financial Literacy Challenge" in your subject line.

Additional details, including a user guide for teachers, will be distributed in the coming weeks. In the meantime, plan on saving a class period, and check back for updates.

Created in memory of an NEA-Retired Vice President and Advisory Council member, this NEA Student Program award offers support for NEA Student members who need help completing their degree in education by offsetting a portion of their tuition.

Visit www.nea.org/student-program/programs/kinnaman.html to learn more and to print out an application, or call NEA-Retired at (202) 822-7149. The deadline to apply is April 7, 2008.

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant difference to people and the planet.

Founded by author T. A. Barron and named for his mother, the Barron Prize annually selects 10 winners nationwide, half of whom focus on helping their communities and fellow humans, and half of whom focus on protecting the health and sustainability of the environment.

Students no younger than 8 and no older than 18 at the time of the nomination deadline are eligible. Nominees must be legal residents of the United States or Canada, and must have participated in the work for which they are being nominated within 12 months prior to the nomination deadline. Nominations are submitted by adults with solid knowledge of the nominee’s work, but who are not related. This could include teachers, librarians, civic leaders, etc.

Winners each receive $2,000 to be applied to their higher education or their service project.

The deadline to apply is April 30, 2008. For complete details and to obtain a nomination packet, and to read about previous heroes, visit www.barronprize.org.

Honoring Youth Leadership in Conservation, Preservation, Restoration

The Brower Youth Awards recognize six young people ages 13–22 in North America annually for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and environmental justice advocacy. The winners of the award receive a $3,000 cash prize, a trip to California for the award ceremony and a wilderness camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute.

Young activist leaders who have played the major leadership role in creating, organizing, and implementing a project that has positive, measurable environmental and social impact (e.g., acres of wildlife habitat protected or restored; number of people engaged in social issues because of the project; numbers of children no longer exposed to toxins; etc.), are eligible to apply. Projects must show significant progress and a measurable positive impact by the application deadline.

Project categories include:

• Conservation
• Preservation
• Restoration

The deadline to apply is May 15. Visit http://broweryouthawards.org/article.php?id=113 for more information and to request an application.

Teachers: Apply for 5-Week Immersion Tour in China

Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad program, Towson University will provide an immersion experience in Chinese culture for five weeks this summer for twelve public school in-service teachers.

Titled, "A New China View: Reshaping the Social Studies Curriculum in Middle and High Schools," the tour is designed to develop educators' intercultural competence and enhance social studies curriculum and instruction on China in secondary education classrooms. Participants will be chosen competitively based on application materials submitted.

Objectives:

• Provide opportunities for participants to acquire first-hand knowledge of the history, culture, language, geography, family structures, religion, education, economics, and politics of China and dispel stereotypes and myths they may have learned previously;
• Develop cognitive and affective changes in the participants and to have the changes reflected in the courses they teach;
• Create units of study in history, culture, language, geography, education, economics, and politics of China that include a full range of instructional materials, supplemental resources, and teaching strategies;
• Participate in an online educator consortium where units of study, teaching materials, teaching strategies, and relevant resources are shared with a larger educational community.

The application deadline is April 16, 2008. For more information and to obtain an application, visit http://grad.towson.edu/fulbright_hays/index.htm.

Tell Us Why You Want To Participate & You Could Earn Travel Expenses

Are you intrigued by the idea of attending a workshop in England to learn more about the Magna Carta - one of the most important legal documents in the history of democracy?

If you are, apply now to become a participant. Send us a 200-word statement explaining why you'd like to participate in a Magna Carta workshop, and if your submission is selected, we will pay for your travel, food, and lodging expenses.

Want to know more?

Who: National Education Association (NEA) and the United Kingdom's National Union of Teachers (NUT) are presenting a joint workshop for teachers of all subjects, focusing on civil liberties, human rights, and freedom. The workshop is exclusively for members of NEA and NUT.

What: This project focuses on the Magna Carta as the embodiment of freedom, justice, fairness, and human rights. Key elements of the conference will include:

1. Increasing knowledge and understanding of the Magna Carta

2. Analyzing aspects of the Magna Carta related to human rights, freedom, and democracy

3. Developing strategies and materials for teaching and learning about the Magna Carta

The format of the workshop is based on the NUT TeachersTogether program. Pairs of teachers work together for four days and then follow up their work through further communication with their partner teacher. After the conference, teachers support one another - through email and phone calls - as they try out the teaching and learning strategies in their classrooms.

NEA and NUT are eager to draw on our successful professional development programs and work together to build on this workshop in the United Kingdom, with the goal of developing a publication for dissemination to members of NEA and NUT.

When: April 14-18, 2008.

Where: The NUT training center, Stoke Rochford Hall, near Grantham, England. There will also be a trip to Lincoln Cathedral to view an original version of the Magna Carta.

How to Apply: To be considered as a participant, please email a 200-word statement about why you would like to participate and attach a letter of support from the president of your NEA local as well as your school principal to NEA's Office of International Relations at oir@nea.org.

Deadline is March 10, 2008.  Candidates will be selected and notified on March 14.

Awards Recognize Students for Community Service

The Sodexho Foundation seeks nominations to recognize students in the fight against hunger in America.

More than 35 million Americans are at risk of hunger and Sodexho has made a commitment to working to create a hunger-free nation. The STOP Hunger Scholarships recognize and reward students who have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger and its root causes in the United States.

Up to five students aged 21 and younger will be selected from among applicants with the following criteria:

• Must be enrolled in an accredited education institution (kindergarten through college) in the United States
• Must have demonstrated on-going commitment to their community by performing volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States at least within the last 12 months
• Volunteer services must be helping non-family members

Each student selected as a national STOP Hunger Scholarship recipient will receive a $3,000 scholarship, as well as a $3,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice in their local community. If the student selected is in school, but is not yet enrolled in an institution of higher education, then in lieu of a scholarship, a contribution in the amount of $3,000 shall be made to a qualified 529 Plan established by the family of that student for the benefit of that student. Each national scholarship recipient will be recognized at the annual Sodexho Foundation Dinner on June 11, 2008 in Washington, DC. All transportation, meals, and lodging for the student and up to two immediate family members will be paid for by Sodexho USA.

Additionally, Sodexho may select up to 20 regional scholarship honorees. Each student selected as a regional Sodexho STOP Hunger Scholarship Honoree will receive a $1,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice in their local community.

Students can apply online between January 1 and February 29, 2008. Visit www.helpstophunger.org/scholarships for more information and to apply online.

Deadline To Submit Nominations—March 31, 2008

Nominations for the 2008 recipient of NEA's Friend of Education Award are now being solicited.

The Friend of Education Award is NEA's highest honor. Since its inception in 1972, NEA has bestowed this prestigious award on an individual or organization whose leadership, acts, or support have significantly benefited education, education employees, or students on a national scale.

Previous recipients include U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and William Jefferson Clinton; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. The award has also been presented to U.S. Senators and Representatives, governors, educators, civil rights activists, authors, and an athlete.

Nominations reflecting these levels of achievement and worthy of NEA's recognition are now encouraged for the 2008 award. Using the forms listed below, nominations must include:

• Name of the nominee
• Nominee's position and/or organizational affiliation
• Nominee's mailing address (or organization mailing address)
• Name of the nominator or affiliate
• Signature of nominator or affiliate officer
• Name of nominator's local affiliate, if applicable
• Nominator's mailing address and telephone number
• Nominator's proof of membership (e.g., an NEA Today mailing label with membership number), if the nominator is an NEA member

Supporting materials, such as publications or videos may be submitted along with the nomination information.

All duly submitted nominations are reviewed by a five-member committee of NEA Directors, which recommends a recipient of the Friend of Education Award to the Board of Directors. The award will be presented at the 2008 NEA Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C.

The deadline for NEA's receipt of nominations is March 31, 2008. Your submission of a nomination for NEA's highest honor is strongly encouraged.

Nomination Forms

• Letter from NEA President Reg Weaver ( 1p, 33k)
• Friend of Education FAQ ( 1p, 48k)
• Nomination Form ( 1p, 35k)
• List of Previous Recipients ( 1p, 38k)

Nominate yourself. Nominate a colleague. Encourage others to nominate outstanding teachers!

Online nominations are now open for the 2008 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching program, marking the 25th anniversary of this award.

Administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House, this is the highest honor in the nation that teachers of mathematics or science may receive for outstanding teaching in their respective fields. Since 1983, more than 3,700 teachers from the 50 States and 4 U.S. jurisdictions (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) have been selected to join the dynamic network of Presidential Awardees. The network serves as a vital resource for improving science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and helping to keep America globally competitive.

This year, the call is for elementary school teachers (kindergarten through sixth grade) to compete for this prestigious award. Award recipients receive:

• A citation signed by the President of the United States
• A paid trip for two to Washington, DC, to attend a weeklong series of recognition events and professional development opportunities
• A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation
• Gifts from program sponsors from around the country
• The chance to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the Nation

There are two deadlines:

• Nominations due March 1, 2008
• Applications due May 1, 2008

Visit www.paemst.org for eligibility requirements, nomination guidelines, application information, and to apply online.

Program Ultimately Enriches First-Twelfth Grade Curricula

The Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program increases understanding between the people of Japan and the United States by providing elementary and secondary school teachers and administrators with the opportunity to participate in fully-funded three-week study visits to Japan, and to return with a plan designed to introduce Japanese culture to American students.

Applicants who are selected will receive round-trip travel to Japan, local transportation in Japan, lodging, and meals for three weeks. Highlights of the trip include meetings with Japanese teachers, students, and parents and a homestay with a Japanese family. Once participants return home, they further develop and implement strategies for sharing their experiences with their schools and communities.

Who is eligible to apply? Full-time teachers or administrators at the elementary or secondary levels (grades 1–12). Educators from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are encouraged to submit an application.

The deadline for submissions is December 10, 2007. For more information, see the Institute of International Education Web site.

The 2008 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens/Fujifilm Environmental Excellence Awards recognize outstanding efforts of students and teachers who are working at the grassroots level across the country to protect and preserve the evnironment. This year, eight projects will be selected. Each winning group receives:

• $10,000 to benefit the project
• an all-expenses-paid trip for three students and one adult leader to an Anheuser-Busch theme park for a special awards event
• a Fujifilm digital camera
• 100 T-shirts to share with school and community partners
• a trophy and certificate for every student and group leader participant

From the eight projects, one outstanding environmental educator/leader will be recognized and receive:

• a $5,000 award
• an all-expenses-paid trip for him or her and one guest to an Anheuser-Busch theme park for an awards event
• a Fujifilm digital camera
• an all-expenses-paid trip to the 2008 National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) national conference
• a trophy and certificate

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, November 30, 2007. (Note that project applications should be able to demonstrate significant accomplishments that have occurred prior to the entry deadline.) Visit www.seaworld.org to learn more.

Every year, the Character Education Partnership recognizes ten K–12 public and private schools and districts as National Schools of Character for their outstanding work in character education.

Winning schools and districts receive a $20,000 award, half of which is used for outreach to other schools and districts.

Winners may differ in their methods and implementation, but all have comprehensive character education programs that exemplify CEP's Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education and serve as models for others. The criteria used to judge award winners is CEP's Character Education Quality Standards. As part of the application process, applicants score themselves using this document.

Applications for the 2008 awards are due by December 3, 2007. Visit www.character.org for a complete list of rules, including a downloadable application and the documents mentioned above.

Cable in the Classroom’s (CIC) Leaders in Learning Awards recognize outstanding educators, administrators, policymakers, and other community leaders at the forefront of innovation in education.

Applications are accepted in five categories:

• general excellence
• cable partnerships for learning
• pushing the envelope
• policymaker excellence
• media literacy education.

Winners receive a $3,000 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., in June 2008. While there, recipients will visit with members of Congress to talk about their award-winning programs, and attend a gala event with policymakers, government officials, leaders of the national education community, cable industry executives, and other VIPs.

The deadline to submit an application is 12 p.m. noon, PT, on January 16, 2008. Applications are accepted online only at www.leadersinlearningawards.org.

C-SPAN Wants to Know What Political Topics Interest Young People

C-SPAN has announced a call for entries for its 2008 StudentCam video documentary competition. A total of $50,000 will be awarded in prizes, including 92 student awards and 11 teacher awards.

The national contest invites middle and high school students to produce a documentary, up to 10 minutes in length, that explores a current political topic using C-SPAN programming.

"We're asking teens to create videos on the issues that matter to them," says Joanne Wheeler, Vice President of education relations at C-SPAN. "We're excited to sponsor this annual competition and invite students in grades 6 through 12 to address important issues that affect our nation and their communities."

Videos (DVD or VHS) will be judged by a panel of C-SPAN representatives and educators and evaluated on a number of criteria, including:

• thoughtful examination of the contest theme
• quality of expression
• adherence to a 10-minute time limit
• inclusion of multiple viewpoints
• use of C-SPAN programming

The grand prizewinner with the best overall entry will be awarded $5,000, with multiple cash prize awards of $250, $750, $1,000, and $3,000 to students in both middle and high school categories.

The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. ET Monday, December 31, 2007. Winners will be announced Friday, February 15, 2008.

Complete contest details and an entry form, as well as winning entries from previous years, are available at the competition's Web site.

The Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) is pleased to announce an art contest open to K–12 students nationwide. The contest theme is "Education and My Future." Entries may be created with any media—e.g., chalk, paint, photographs, or digitized art. SEDL is looking for pictures that tell students' stories without words, not just the best drawing or painting.

The deadline for entries is November 1, 2007. Prizes include a trip to Austin and a Macintosh computer for the grand prize winner, an iPod 40GB, an iPodNano, and an iPod Shuffle as well as a $100 gift to the winners’ schools. Winning entries will be on display in SEDL's new headquarters building in Austin, Texas, where educators and community leaders will see them every day as they enter—a reminder of why they work to find the right solutions in education.

Visit www.sedl.org/artcontest for more details and contest rules. Questions? Send an e-mail.

The Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, a nonprofit corporation based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to solving significant education problems and improving teaching and learning through research, research-based resources, and professional development.

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) invites educators from across the country who have instituted or will institute a community-focused quality improvement initiative in their K–12 schools to apply for the Community Good Works grant.

The grants support engagement of communities in the success of their schools, and provide financial support and ASQ member expertise to help schools and non-profit organizations improve operations and performance by using quality management principles.

Grant applications are now being accepted for the 2007–08 year, and the Community Good Works initiative seeks to fund up to eight projects that achieve the following:

• They improve communities through the use of quality tools and technologies.
• They provide evidence documenting the efficacy of quality in improving communities.
• They engage ASQ members in improvement projects.
• They provide long-term benefit to the community.

There is no deadline, per se, to submit applications, however, applications will be accepted as long as program funding is available.

To find out more and read about past recipients, visit ASQ online. Note that registration is free, but required, to navigate the site.

Open to Students Grades 5–8

Sponsored by Sealed Air Corporation and administered by The National Museum of Education, this contest encourages students to demonstrate creativity and ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporates Bubble Wrap cushioning.

The Grand Prize is a $10,000 savings bond; the second place winner receives a $5,000 savings bond; and a $3,000 savings bond goes to the third place winner. The three top winners also win a trip to New York City on January 25-28, 2008, to celebrate Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day. Fifteen semi-finalists will each receive a $500 savings bond.

The deadline for entries is 6 p.m. EST, Thursday, November 1, 2007. Visit www.nmoe.org/bubblewrap for more information and to apply.

Grants of $3,000 Awarded to Six Teachers Who Inspire Students to Write

Each year, the College Board recognizes exceptional teachers of grades 6–12 for innovative methods they use to develop students' writing skills. A grant of $3,000 will be awarded to one teacher from each of six regions who is already doing an inspiring job of teaching students to write, and who will benefit most from a grant to enhance a successful project.

Projects can be carried out in school, through an after-school writing workshop, or during a summer program. Teachers from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply; the grants are designed to support not only literature and language arts teachers, but also teachers who include writing instruction in the teaching of the sciences, math, history, and arts. Any project qualifies if it turns young people onto the joy of writing. Applicants will submit a detailed description of their project and an explanation of how they will use the funds.

The award was named for Bob Costas, the Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and author, for his dedication to the craft of writing and his generous public service work on behalf of the National Commission on Writing.

The application deadline is November 16, 2007. Visit the College Board Web site for more information, an application, and profiles of the 2007 winners.

PNY Technologies is challenging teams of tech-savvy high school seniors to create and execute ideas that improve the lives of senior citizens in their community by introducing them to computer technology that includes PNY electronic products (e.g., Flash media, graphics cards, and RAM memory). This intergenerational experience provides students a venue to connect learning, life, and work, while giving senior citizens the confidence and ability to use technology to take them where their curiosity leads.

The grand prize-winning team will receive $12,500 in scholarship money to be equally distributed among team members. Members of three runner-up teams will each receive a $500 gift package of PNY products. The schools of each winning team will also receive three computers and monitors. High school seniors who are entering a U.S. college, university, or technical center no later than fall 2008 are eligible to participate.

The contest ends December 31, 2007. Visit PNY Technologies to learn more or call (800) 769-0143.

Seniors Vie for "Junior Nobel" Awards & 4-Year Scholarship

Each year Intel conducts its pre-college Science Talent Search (STS), a nationwide competition honoring outstanding young scientists who have completed original research projects. Applicants are judged by a national jury of professional scientists on individual research ability, scientific originality, and creativity.

The competition is open to all U.S. high school seniors. Students are encouraged to start their research early—as early as their freshman year—and to participate in local science and engineering fairs before competing in the Intel STS during their senior year.

Each of 300 semifinalists will receive a $1,000 award for outstanding science research, and their schools will receive $1,000 for each student named. Forty finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the weeklong Science Talent Institute in March 2007. At the end of that week, 10 Intel scholarship winners will be announced. The top prize is a $100,000 four-year college scholarship.

The deadline for entry is 8:00 p.m. November 14, 2007. Visit Intel for more information.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes students in grades 5–12 who have demonstrated exemplary community service.

Schools and officially designated organizations may select one middle level and one high school Local Honoree for every 1,000 students. In February 2008, 102 State Honorees will be selected from the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. Each State Honoree will receive $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., with one parent or guardian, for the National Recognition events May 3–6, 2008. During that time, 10 National Honorees will be announced. Those 10 will receive an additional $5,000 and a $5,000 grant for a nonprofit charitable organization of their choice.

Completed student applications are due to principals or official certifiers by October 31, 2007, who must in turn postmark their nominations by November 7. For more, visit NASSP.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognize students in grades 5–12 who demonstrate exemplary community service.

Schools and officially designated organizations may select one middle school and one high school honoree for every 1,000 students (or portion thereof). Local honorees are judged at the state level, and 102 honorees from the 50 states and the District of Columbia will be named in February 2008.

Each state honoree will receive $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. (May 3–6, 2008) with one parent or guardian for national recognition events. While there, 10 national honorees will be chosen to receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for his/her school, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of their choice.

Online applications for students are now available and due back to their principal or official certifier by October 31, 2007. For more information, visit the NASSP Web site.

During two one-week periods in the fall and spring, The People Speak (TPS) will encourage students at U.S. and international high schools to hold debates on two of the most critical global issues of our day: climate and water.

Participating schools can compete to send their winning four-person debate team to the United Nations Foundation Global Student Leadership Summit in New York City. Held in July 2008, the summit is an opportunity to meet other students, learn more about the issues, and take advantage of opportunities, including a special U.N. tour.

To participate, student teams must:

• register online
• research the topic(s) and prepare clear, persuasive arguments for both sides of the issue(s)
• organize an event to draw the largest number of students and present their debate

Have students in attendance vote for the team they felt was most compelling and persuasive. TPS will tally the votes and post results on their Web site. Fall debates must take place during the week of October 12–22. Information is forthcoming regarding the spring schedule.

For details, including tips on how to stage a debate and attract as large an audience as possible, visit www.thepeoplespeak.org.

Join NASA's Engineering Design Challenge to design, analyze, build, and assess plant growth chambers as part of a standards-based, grade-banded activity for elementary, middle, and high school students that is related to the STS-118 Space Shuttle mission.

Growth chambers—much like the space plant chambers students will design and build—are part of the education payload on STS-118. The first Educator Astronaut, Barbara Morgan, and crewmates will take up two growth chambers along with 10 million basil seeds. These seeds will be exposed to microgravity and brought back to Earth.

After your students build their own growth chambers, you will receive actual space seeds that you can use along with other Earth seeds to test your design.

Space seeds are available on a limited basis to educators who register and complete the challenge with their classes. Go to NASA for information and to register.

Each year, NEA awards 25 Urban Grants in the amount of $5,000 each to local affiliates to help in the development of education reform leadership programs for preK–12/graduate school faculty and education support professionals. NEA Constituent Relations administers the grants and looks for proposals that contribute to restoring public confidence in public education by reflecting some aspect of NEA's Strategic Priorities.

NEA local affiliates of 500 members or more who are listed with the NEA membership office, or the largest local NEA affiliate of any state regardless of membership number, are eligible to apply.

Applicants must submit a proposal postmarked no later than September 30, 2007, to NEA Constituent Relations/NCUEA Office, 1201 16th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036. The Constituent Relations staff will correspond with applicants, as well as their respective state Association and regional offices, notifying them of receipt of the proposal.

For information on applying, selection criteria, and the review process, visit www.nea.org/teachers/urbangrants.html.

Help Build a Global Movement of Changemakers

Help your students ages 12 to 20  to become more socially conscious. Encourage them to apply for micro-grants of up to $1,000 from the Youth Service America (YSA) Youth Venture Program to create sustainable community-benefiting ventures. Youth Venture provides coaching, resources, and seed funding.

Inspiring and investing in teams of young people to start their own social ventures, YSA Youth Venture Program is working to build a powerful network of young changemakers around the world.

The application deadline for the micro-grants is August 13, 2007.

For more information about the YSA Youth Venture Program micro-grants, please go to: http://www.genv.net/en-us/region/ysa.

The YSA Youth Venture Program is an AmeriCorps VISTA program.

Related Link

Do the Right Thing Resources - More opportunities to serve the community and other resources for promoting thoughtful respectful behavior in young people.

Encouraging Youth to Help Others

Pay It Forward mini-grants are designed to fund one-time-only service-oriented projects identified by youth as activities they would like to perform to benefit their school, neighborhood, or greater community.

Projects must contain a "pay it forward" focus - that is, they must be based on the concept of one person doing a favor for others, who in turn do favors for others, with the results growing exponentially.

Schools, churches, and community youth groups (with an adult sponsor) may apply for a mini-grant, which has a maximum award of $500.

The next deadline for applications is January 15, 2008. Applications are accepted three times a year - January 15, April 15, and October 15.

For more information, see the Pay It Forward Foundation Web site.

Related Link

Do the Right Thing Resources - Current information about grants, events, and Web sites that promote responsible, thoughtful, and respectful behavior in young people.

The Pay It Forward movement is the real-life reaction to the novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde (2000), that was followed by the creation of the Pay It Forward Foundation and the Warner Brothers movie (2000).

Recognition for Unsung Heroes

Parent/teacher groups often toil in the background, performing odd jobs and working tirelessly to raise funds. Here’s their chance to shine!

PTO Today—a company that helps parent groups serve schools—sponsors the Parent Group of the Year contest. Now in its seventh year, the contest shines a spotlight on the great work being done by parent groups across the country and is open to all parent organizations: PTO, PTA, HSA, PTC, etc.

Prizes include:

• The grand prize is a $5,000 cash award plus $3,000 worth of supplies from Educational Products, Inc. (EPI).
• The runner-up group receives a $1,000 cash award plus $1,000 worth of supplies from EPI.
• Eight additional winners (one from each category) receive $250 in cash plus $300 in custom apparel from EPI.
• Every group that enters receives a certificate of achievement.

The deadline to apply is May 31, 2007. For more information and to apply online, visit www.ptotoday.com/pgy.

Introduce Kids to the Pleasures of Hydroponic Gardening

The National Gardening Association is awarding 24 elementary, middle, and high schools a hydroponic gardening and indoor lighting system, along with curricula and activity books, as part of the 2007 Hooked on Hydroponics Awards.

To be eligible, schools must plan to garden hydroponically—using a bath or flow of highly oxygenated, nutrient-enriched water, rather than soil—with at least 15 students between the ages of 6 and 18 during 2007. Grant winners must also complete a year-end impact report.

For more details, including this year's deadline and an application form, go to www.kidsgardening.org.

Well-Known Pollster Asks Educators to Weigh In on Education for a Modern World

Zogby International Polling is interested in your opinion on education in the 21st Century! Just click on the link below to take a quick 12-question survey. The school district with the highest percentage of respondents will win $2,500, so encourage your colleagues to participate.

Polling is open through  June 25; results will be posted within one month from closing.

Take the poll.

Recognition for Hard-Working Parents

Parent/teacher groups often toil in the background, performing odd jobs and working tirelessly to raise funds. Here's their chance to shine!

PTO Today—a company that helps parent groups serve schools—sponsors the Parent Group of the Year contest. Now in its seventh year, the contest shines a spotlight on the great work being done by parent groups across the country and is open to all parent organizations: PTO, PTA, HSA, PTC, etc. Prizes include:

• Grand prize: $5,000 cash award plus $3,000 worth of supplies from Educational Products, Inc. (EPI);
• Runner-up: $1,000 cash award plus $1,000 worth of supplies from EPI;
• Category winners: Eight winners will receive $250 in cash plus $300 in custom apparel from EPI;
• All entrants: Certificate of Achievement.

The deadline to apply is May 31, 2007. For more information and to apply online, visit www.ptotoday.com/pgy.

Each year the NEA Health Information Network presents the Ryan White HIV Prevention Award to an NEA member or affiliate who has demonstrated a commitment to implementing or supporting innovative HIV prevention education programs.

Previous winners have included the Washington Education Association, Cynthia Louden of Pennsylvania, Phillip Armstrong of South Carolina, and last year's honoree, Veronica Cook of Washington. This year's award will be presented at the 2007 NEA Representative Assembly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

To nominate an individual, school, or affiliate, contact Paul Sathrum for a nomination form at (202) 822-7787 or send an e-mail to psathrum@nea.org. The deadline for applications is May 25, 2007.

The History Channel will award grants totaling $250,000 to fund dozens of educational community preservation projects across the country as part of its Save Our History Grants Program. Teachers can apply for grants of up to $10,000 in partnership with history museums, historical societies, preservation organizations, libraries, archives, and other 501(c)(3) organizations, to fund projects that teach students about their local history and actively engage them in its preservation.

Visit www.saveourhistory.com for guidelines, criteria, descriptions of past grant-winning projects, and to apply.

Applications must be submitted online by June 1, 2007.

[Note: The History Channel also sponsors 'Save Our History' Teacher and Student of the Year Awards.]

Nominate a Superior Teacher

There are only a few weeks left to nominate an outstanding teacher for an American Star of Teaching Award. American Stars represent thousands of educators throughout our nation's K–12 school system who have positively impacted the academic performance of their students through innovative instructional strategies, passionate classroom practices, and an inspirational attitude.

Please take a moment to pass this information along to colleagues, parents, students, school administrators, and members of the community and encourage them to nominate a teacher who has made a unique and positive difference in the lives of their students.

For more information, visit www.ed.gov/teacherinitiative.

To nominate a teacher, visit www.t2tweb.us/AmStar/About.asp.

Nominations will be accepted through April 1, 2007

Deadline To Submit Nominations—April 2, 2007

Nominations for the 2007 recipient of NEA's Friend of Education Award are now being solicited.

For 35 years NEA has bestowed this prestigious award on an individual or organization whose leadership, acts, and support have significantly benefited education, education employees, or students on a national scale. Since its inception in 1972, the Friend of Education Award has attained the status of NEA's highest tribute. Previous recipients include U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, Jimmy Carter, and William Jefferson Clinton; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; and U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. The award has also been presented to U.S. Senators and Representatives, governors, educators, civil rights activists, authors, and an athlete. Nominations reflecting these levels of achievement and worthy of NEA's recognition are now encouraged for the 2007 Friend of Education Award.

Nominations should include a statement about the nominee's contribution to education on a national level and may be accompanied by additional materials to assist the selection committee. Each nomination must be signed and submitted with proof of the nominator's NEA membership (such as an address label from an Association publication). Also, please note that if the nominee is eligible for NEA Active membership, he/she must hold such membership.

All duly submitted nominations are reviewed by a five-member committee of NEA Directors, which recommends a recipient of the Friend of Education Award to the Board of Directors. The award will be presented at the 2007 NEA Representative Assembly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The deadline for NEA's receipt of nominations is April 2, 2007. Your submission of a nomination for NEA's highest honor is strongly encouraged.

Related Materials

• Friend of Education FAQ
• Nomination Form ( 1p, 29k)
• List of Previous Recipients

Help for Exceptional High School Juniors Facing Economic Challenges

Help your students access educational opportunity. The Questbridge College Prep Scholarship is designed to level the playing field of college admissions by equipping high-achieving, low-income students to successfully apply to leading schools. If you know high school juniors who have achieved exceptional academic results despite economic challenges, consider referring them to the College Prep Scholarship application.

Each award includes one or more of the following:

• Full scholarships to selective college summer programs: QuestBridge will provide counseling to 10 students to support their applications to summer school programs at Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame, or Yale University. If accepted, students will receive a scholarship covering tuition, room and board.
  
  
• College admissions counseling: QuestBridge will offer individualized assistance with college admissions and financial aid to 50 students.
  
  
• College preparatory conferences: Approximately 800 applicants will be selected to attend one of four college preparatory conferences at top-ranked colleges nationwide in the summer of 2007. Conferences will feature workshops on selecting colleges, application strategies, and financial aid.

Applications are due March 31, 2007. Visit www.questbridge.org/ for information.

Be Rewarded for Your Love of History

Each year, The History Channel honors teachers and students for their exceptional commitment to history education and historic preservation both in and out of the classroom.

This year, The History Channel will honor one teacher and one student with a $5,000 cash prize, recognition on The History Channel, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they will be recognized as the "Save Our History" Teacher and Student of the Year at the "Save Our History" National Event in June 2007. Twenty-four teachers and 24 students will receive runners-up cash prizes of $500 and other prizes, including DVDs and digital cameras.

Elementary, middle, and high school teachers and students are eligible to apply. Visit www.saveourhistory.com for guidelines, entry forms, and rules. Entries are due March 30, 2007.

[Note: The History Channel also sponsors Save Our History grants.]

Assistance for Students Who March to Their Own Drummer

Applications are now available for the 2007 Young Entrepreneur Awards, a program of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation. The fifth annual scholarship program for high-school seniors is designed to set teen small-business owners on the path to entrepreneurship.

Award recipients attend the university, college, community college or vocational/technical institute of their choice with $1,000 in tuition assistance. One outstanding student receives a $10,000 award, and four regional winners receive $5,000 each. The 2007 program will also grant one renewable award in each of five regions across the country.

Apply online today! Be sure to fully read the application instructions and the frequently asked questions. Online applications are accepted until February 12, 2007.

For more information, visit www.nfib.com/page/nfibYoungEntrepreneurAward.html.

Best Buy Provides Money for School

The 2007 Best Buy Scholarship Program will award scholarships to students based on their commitment to and involvement in community service, along with a solid academic performance. More than 1700 scholarships will be awarded. Sixteen students will receive a $10,000 scholarship to the institution of their choice.

Who's eligible to apply? High school seniors currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. school, graduating with plans to enter a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocation technical school in the United States no later than fall 2007.

Deadline for applications: February 15, 2007.

For more information, see the Best Buy Web site.

The Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) program is a competition that awards nearly $500,000 annually to high school juniors and seniors who develop research projects using the principles of epidemiology—the branch of medicine that deals with the study of causes, distribution, and control of disease among populations—to advance understanding of critical public health-related issues.

YES competitors develop a research question and hypothesis about an important health issue. They gather and analyze data, present results, and suggest ways to problem-solve. Past projects have addressed issues such as childhood obesity, HIV/AIDS, childhood asthma, teen pregnancy, and health and substance abuse. Projects are judged by a panel of leading epidemiologists and educators, and finalists are selected to present their research to a panel of leaders in the field of public health at the national YES Competition in Washington, D.C. Two top winners each receive $50,000 in college scholarships.

For more information, visit www.collegeboard.com/yes. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., February 1, 2007.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has announced the fourth annual We the People Bookshelf, a program that offers sets of classic books to 2,000 community and school libraries throughout the United States. Recipients will receive a collection of 15 classics selected to illustrate this year's theme, "The Pursuit of Happiness." The awards are part of NEH's program to strengthen the teaching, study, and understanding of American history and culture.

Again this year, NEH has partnered with the American Library Association (ALA) to distribute a set of books, posters, and educational CDs to 2,000 selected libraries that offer the best programs for young readers using the awarded materials. Titles are preselected for grades K–3, 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12. As a bonus, each winning library will also receive a music CD, Happy Land: Musical Tributes to Laura Ingalls Wilder .

Find information and instructions online at www.neh.gov. Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2007.

Get students thinking about their life goals and building closer connections across generations through this contest.

To enter, a student 8–18 years of age interviews a grandparent or "grandfriend" who is 50 years or older about their hopes and goals through life; how they achieved what they set out to do and overcame obstacles; or how dreams may have changed along the way. The student then writes a 300-word essay based on the interview.

The grand prize is a ThinkCentre computer and a $500 gift certificate from Books Are Fun. Twenty runner-up prizes include $200 gift certificates from Books Are Fun. All winners receive a framed certificate and a signed copy of Dream, the book by Susan V. Bosak that inspired the contest.

The deadline to enter is March 31, 2007. For complete rules and information, visit www.legacyproject.org.

Youth Service America offers A Lion in the House Community Service Grants. Complementing the highly acclaimed PBS film, these grants of $300 are designed for youth, ages 12–25, and youth-serving organizations (e.g., schools, youth groups, clubs) to design service projects addressing pediatric cancer. Projects should be youth-led and take place as part of National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20–22, 2007.

For information and to download an application, visit www.ysa.org/awards. Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2007.

Learn more about pediatric cancer, including great service project ideas, at www.MyLion.org.

With a fellow grant from the Fund for Teachers (FFT), preK–12 educators with at least three years of classroom experience who work at eligible schools can custom-design a summer experience that enriches their professional lives and helps them affect students on a daily basis. Grant fellows have designed a wide variety of learning experiences—from exploring volcanoes in Hawaii to studying the effect of chemicals on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico; from a hands-on study of Beluga whales to a trek across Laos to learn about Hmong culture; from studying Islam through Morocco’s political, social, and economic development to sharpening Spanish skills in Guatemala.

Grants fund up to $5,000 in expenses for individuals and $7,500 for teams of two or more. But here's the catch: because of funding limitations and availability of administrative partners, grants are not available in all areas. To find out if you work for a participating school or district, visit www.fundforteachers.org. The deadline for submitting an online application is January 16, 2007.

K—12 Educators Study Lincoln's Life & Legacy

Interested in learning more about Abraham Lincoln this summer?

Consider applying for a Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellowship. In this program, educators study the life and legacy of America's 16th president. Horace Mann Corporation and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) have partnered to create the fellowship, which features a five-day institute at the library in June and July, 2007. (Half of the winners will attend the June session, the other half will attend in July.)

Who is eligible to apply? The Fellowship is open to any full-time teacher of Kindergarten through 12th grade of any discipline in the United.States. Fifty educators—one from each state—will be chosen. The Fellowship includes round-trip transportation, lodging, and most meals.

Applications are due by February 28, 2007 and must be submitted online.

For more information and to complete an application, visit the Horace Mann Web site:
www.horacemann.com/educator-resources/abraham-lincoln-fellowship.html

Character Development, Volunteer Service, & Career Exploration

The Target and Tiger Woods Foundation Start Something Program is a free program for youth that addresses three priorities: character development, volunteer service and career exploration. The goal of the program is to help improve students' self-esteem, goal-setting ability, and attitudes toward learning.

Using materials provided at the Target Web site, teachers will talk with students about being a team player, help them think about what they'd like to do in their lives, and help them carry out a Volunteer Service project. After completing the program, student can apply for a Start Something Individual Grant to help them pursue their dreams. Students must be 8 to 17 to apply.

The applications deadline is January 1, 2007.

For more information and teaching tools, visit the Target Web site.

For information about other grants that promote thoughtful, respectful behavior in young people, see Resources for Do the Right Thing.

Teach Safety, Win a Classroom Makeover

Thousands of children are reported missing or are sexually exploited every day. To help teachers and parents educate children about ways to avoid dangerous situations that could lead to abuse or abduction, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Honeywell have partnered to develop Got 2B Safe!

As part of the initiative, awards are given that recognize the best classroom lesson plans created by teachers using four basic rules of safety:

• Check first.
• Go with a friend.
• It's my body.
• Tell a trusted adult.

Five grand prize winners will receive a classroom makeover worth $10,000, and 100 runners-up will receive school supply gift certificates in the amount of $500. Last year, four grand prize winners were NEA members!

The deadline to apply is January 31, 2007. Go to www.got2bsafe.com/ for more information.

With a Fellow grant from the Fund for Teachers (FFT), PreK—12 educators with three years of classroom experience who work at eligible schools can custom design a summer experience that enriches their professional lives and helps them impact students on a daily basis.

Grant Fellows have completed a wide variety of self-designed learning experiences—from exploring active volcanoes in Hawaii to studying the effect of chemicals on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico; from a hands-on study of Beluga whales to a trek across Laos to learn about Hmong culture; from studying Islam through Morocco’s political, social, and economic development to sharpening Spanish skills in Guatemala. While all of the experiences are different, Fellows return to the classroom with a renewed passion for teaching and use their experiences to inspire students.

Grants fund up to $5,000 in expenses for individual teachers and $7,500 for teams of two or more. But here is the catch: due to limitations in funding and administrative partners, the grants are not available in all areas, or in all districts. For example, in California, all San Francisco Unified Schools are eligible, as are all public and private schools in the city of Los Angeles; whereas in Pennsylvania, one lone charter school in Philadelphia is eligible. To find out if you work in an eligible school or district, visit the Web site at www.fundforteachers.org.

The deadline for submitting the online application is January 16, 2007. All applicants will be notified by March 30, 2007.

High School Students Collaborate with Counterparts Abroad to Confront Global Climate Change

Supported by the University of Vermont College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and the National Science Foundation, this program provides high school students here and abroad the opportunity to create new solutions that address global warming and the future of energy.

Teams of four students aged 14—17 work together across the globe to create a feasible business plan that offers an innovative solution to problems associated with global climate change, and a presentation that demonstrates each team member's understanding of the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics of their solution, as well as its global business potential. Students will receive assistance in finding and collaborating with overseas team members.

Up to $40,000 in college scholarships will be awarded to members of winning teams. In addition, any idea, product, service, or other thing of value (the "idea") developed through participation shall become the property of the team and Global Challenge, Inc. (see Web site below for more details).

Teams have until April 30, 2007 to collaborate in the creation of a scientifically sound business proposal. In order to have sufficient time to research and plan their proposals, students must register by December 15, 2006. Winning teams will be selected in June, 2007.

Visit www.globalchallengeaward.org for more information and to register.

Professional Development and Innovative Programs

The NEA Foundation supports a variety of efforts by teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to improve student learning in the nation's public schools, colleges, and universities.

NEA's Books Across America Library Books Awards
Made in collaboration with the National Education Association, these awards provide $5,000 to public schools serving economically disadvantaged students to purchase books for school libraries. The 2007 awards are made possible with support from individuals who donated to NEA’s Books Across America fund to bring the gift of reading to students affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. The application deadline is December 14, 2006.

NEA Fine Arts Grants
Administered on behalf of the NEA, these grants provide $2,000 to enable fine arts teachers to create and implement fine arts programs that promote learning among students at risk of failure. Read about the work of the most recent grant recipients. The next application deadline is December 15, 2006.

Learning & Leadership Grants
These grants provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. See table below for deadlines.

Student Achievement Grants
These grants provide $5,000 to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. (These grants replace the foundation’s Innovation Grants program, which has been discontinued.) See table below for deadlines.

Learning & Leadership and Student Achievement Grant deadline and notification dates:

Honoring K-12 Schools & Districts Engaged in Character Education

Each year, the Character Education Partnership (CEP) recognizes ten schools and districts with awards for their exemplary work in improving the behavior and learning of their students through character education. After the award winners are selected, CEP helps these schools and districts to serve as models for other educators. In 2007, winning schools and districts will win $20,000.

To be eligible, schools must have been engaged in character education for a minimum of three full years, starting no later than December 2003, and must have a minimum of 175 students. Districts must have been engaged in character education for a minimum of four full years, starting no later than December 2002.

Winners may differ in their methods and implementation, but all have comprehensive, exemplary character education programs that exemplify CEP's  Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education and serve as models for others.

The deadline for submitting applications is December 4, 2006.

For more information, see the CEP Web site.

Related Link

Do the Right Thing—Articles, tips, and conversation about educators promoting thoughtful, respectful behavior with their students. From NEA.

Competition for High School Students

Encourage your high school students (grades 9-12) to participate in the National Vocabulary Championship (NVC), a competition that challenges students to test their vocabulary skills against other students across the country for a chance to win $40,000 toward college tuition.

Citywide championships provide a chance to win $5,000 in scholarships and school grants as well as a trip to finals. Fifty finalists will compete February 2007 for $40,000. Finals will be televised on the Game Show Network.

The competitions begin soon. Students who attend participating schools will compete on a date scheduled for their school --  between October 30 and December 13, 2006. Eligible students who do not attend a participating school may take the National Qualifying Exam at the Win With Words Web site between October 27 and November 5, 2006. 

For more details, see the Win With Words Web site.

The National Vocabulary Championship (NVC) is a Game Show Network initiative that uses competition and wordplay to teach the value of a strong vocabulary.

Write an Essay on What You'd Do for Your Community

Hamburger Helper wants to help neighborhoods nationwide with its "My Hometown Helper" grant program. Individuals from communities and organizations across America can submit a written essay of 250 words or less describing how the "My Hometown Helper" grant would help improve their community project. Maximum Award: $15,000. Eligibility: Requests for funding must be sponsored by a municipal or civic organization or public school.

The deadline for submission is May 31, 2007.

For more information, see the My Hometown Helper Web site. 

Related Link

Do the Right Thing Resources - Current information about grants, events, and Web sites that promote responsible, thoughtful, and respectful behavior in young people.

Honoring Young People in Grades 5-12

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people in grades 5 through 12 who have demonstrated exemplary voluntary service to their communities. Each state honoree will receive $1000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. (May 5–8, 2007) with one parent or guardian. While in Washington, D.C., ten national honorees will be chosen. Each of the ten national honorees will receive an additional $5,000, a gold medallion, and a crystal trophy for his or her school.

Who's eligible? Students in grades 5-12 who have conducted a volunteer service activity within the past year.

The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2006.

For more information, see the National Association of Secondary School Principals Web site.

Related Link

Do the Right Thing Resources - Current information about grants, events, and Web sites that promote responsible, thoughtful, and respectful behavior in young people.

Honoring High School Students Who Fight Poverty

The NetAid Global Action Awards honor high school students who have organized and led an innovative anti-poverty project. One that has impacted people in poor countries or raised awareness about global poverty in their own communities.

The awards celebrate young people who have shown leadership in areas such as preventing HIV/AIDS, alleviating hunger, and improving access to education. Applicants must have attended a U.S. high school (9th through 12th grades) during the 2005-2006 academic school year and be residents of the United States. Honorees are awarded $5,000 for college or a charitable cause of their choice. 

The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2006.

For more information, see the NetAid Web site.

Related Link

Do the Right Thing Resources - Current information about grants, events, and Web sites that promote responsible, thoughtful, and respectful behavior in young people.

NEA Initiative Inspires Youth to Literacy Service

An initiative of NEA and Youth Service America (YSA), Youth Leaders for Literacy grants help youth direct their enthusiasm and creativity into reading-related service projects. Something powerful happens when youth are involved in literacy service. They receive the intrinsic rewards of community involvement, but they also learn more about themselves and the importance that reading plays in their own lives.

Young people ages 21 or younger can apply, either individually or as a group. Grant applications should propose youth leadership in developing and implementing a literacy project that begins on NEA's Read Across America Day, March 2, 2007, and culminates on YSA's National Youth Service Days, April 20-22. The proposal must include a scheduled activity (e.g., read aloud session, trip to the library, book-making, etc.) for each week of the project period. Winning entries will feature outstanding examples of:

• Youth leadership in developing and implementing the project
• The involvement of youth in preparing and submitting the grant application
• The capacity of the individual or group to administer the grant
• The impact of the project on those providing service and those being served
• Complete applications, including all requested support materials

20 grants of $500 each will be awarded, with winners announced in January. The deadline for entry is November 24, 2006.

For more information and a downloadable application, visit www.nea.org/readacross/volunteer/index.html.

Encouraging Kids to Garden Organically

Begun eight years ago by the Rodale Institute, this award inspires youths to improve their health and the health of the earth by gardening organically and promoting regenerative gardening practices. Any school in the 50 states with an organic garden that is used for educational purposes may enter. Applicants must write an 800 word essay about their garden and create a photo poster as part of the application process.

The bronze winner will be awarded $250; the silver winner will receive $500; and the gold winner will take the top prize of $1,000. All schools that apply will receive a certificate of participation. No entry fee is required.

Entries must be postmarked by October 31, 2006.

For more information, visit www.kidsregen.org/gardens/index.shtml.

For a look at previous winners, visit the Gallery of Gardens at www.kidsregen.org/gardens/2005/winners.php.

Showing Schools That Value & Include All Students

The National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCRESt) is sponsoring a national art contest in conjunction with its National Forum.

It is looking for artistic representations of what schools look like that value and include the backgrounds, experiences, and heritage of all students.

Work submitted to this contest will be used on products and materials developed by NCCRESt to raise awareness and to help people across the nation understand the vision of inclusive, culturally responsive education.

The contest is open to students in grades K-12 and adults. The grand prize winner will receive a $300 cash award and a trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend the 2007 National Forum on Disproportionality in Education, February 7-9, 2007. At this national forum, the grand prize winner will be honored at a reception and artwork will be on display.

Contest applications must be submitted by October 31, 2006.

For more information, visit the NCCREST Web site.