Grants, Awards & Freebies

Grants, awards & freebies - March 1, 2007

Mar 1, 2007 3:02 PM

All-USA teacher team: USA Today wants 20 excellent teachers, or teams of up to four teachers, to participate in a collaboration that plans, teaches and evaluates the same group of students.

Full-time, certified K-12 teachers with at least four years of experience must be nominated by

colleagues, students (present and former), parents, staff members or administrators. No self-nominations. Winners’ schools receive $2,500 for

instruction, $500 for each teacher with the

remainder to be used in the school as the teacher(s) designates. Winners will be featured in October in USA Today. DEADLINE: April 29.

CONTACT: Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope specifying the All-USA Teacher Team to: Carol Skalski, USA Today, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22108-9995; 1-703-854-5890; e-mail: allstars@usatoday.com; Internet: www.allstars.usatoday.com.

National teacher awards: Time Warner Cable’s 2007 National Teacher Awards Program recognizes outstanding teachers who develop creative learning experiences using cable television resources or Internet technology in their classroom. Awards of $2,000 cash and $3,000 for school technology advancement are available. Participating schools must be located within a Time Warner service area. Projects must encourage the development and effective use of cable in classroom educational programs. Projects should also focus on curriculum development in areas such as cross-curricular studies, classroom-to-community activities, study-related materials, audiovisual productions and/or multimedia applications. DEADLINE: April 13. CONTACT: Your local Time Warner office or call 1-203-351-2110; Web site: www.timewarnercable.com/nationalteacherawards.

Math mentors: Advancing Student Achievement is a program that brings together actuaries and educators in local classroom environments with the belief that interaction with real-world mentors will boost students’ interest and achievement in math. The Actuarial Foundation provides a local network of actuaries ready to participate, as well as suggestions on how to integrate math concepts from the workplace into the classroom. Groups applying for grants will be given wide latitude in designing programs that enhance learning and create a “love of math” in each student. DEADLINE: None. CONTACT: E-mail: asa@actfnd.org; Web site: www.actuarialfoundation.org/grant/index.html; phone: 1-847-706-3535.

Science contest: The CAPCO (Consumer Aerosol Products Council) Science Class Challenge is a classroom contest that encourages students and teachers to learn about the Earth’s protective upper ozone layer, Clorofluorocarbons (CFC) and the environment by using the provided activities or their own creative methods. Awards range from $250 to $5,000 for your school and a pizza party for your class.

Teachers of grades 4-9 can apply. DEADLINE: May 14. CONTACT: www.nocfcs.org and click on Science Class Challenge.

Technology grant: The SMARTer Kids Foundation – The Connections Program equips North American 6th-grade teachers with leading-edge technology for their classroom, promotes collaborative learning projects between schools, provides teacher training on the technology, and culminates with teachers and select students meeting for a fun-filled week in Calgary, Alberta. The grant includes airfare, accommodations, meals, local transportation and admission to Connections-sponsored activities during the teacher training and the Calgary student visit. DEADLINE: None. CONTACT: Web site: www.smarterkids.org/k12/connections/index.asp; e-mail: info@smarterkids.org; phone: 1-403-451-2131.

Earthwatch fellowship: Earthwatch Institute, an international nonprofit that supports scientific research, is calling on adventuresome and innovative educators interested in natural and cultural conservation, sustainability and life-long learning to apply for its Educational Fellowship Program. Fellows are assigned to projects based on their interest, skills, availability and needs, and other grant restrictions. Fellowships cover expedition costs of food, lodging, on-site travel and expenditures related to fieldwork (securing permits, equipment, etc.). DEADLINE: On a rolling basis during the school year. CONTACT: Fellowship Coordinators at 1-800-776-0188 ext. 118;

e-mail: educationawards@earthwatch.org; Web site: www.earthwatch.org and click on Educator Opportunities.