Grants, Awards & Freebies
Grants, awards & freebies - Sept. 6, 2007
Sep 6, 2007 8:30 PM
Technology awards: The National Science Teachers Association and Vernier Software & Technology offer grants to teachers who demonstrate innovative uses of data-collection technology (computers, graphing calculators, or other hand-held devices) in their science classes. Vernier will provide up to seven awards, valued at $3,000 each. Awards will be given to one elementary teacher, two middle school teachers, three high school teachers and one college-level educator. Each will receive a $1,000 cash award, $1,000 in Vernier equipment, and $1,000 toward travel and expenses to attend NSTA’s National Convention in 2008. Full-time science teachers from elementary to college level can apply. DEADLINE: Oct. 15. CONTACT: NSTA, Vernier Technology Awards, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000; phone: 1-703-243-7100; Web site: www.vernier.com.
Music foundation grants: The Music Is Revolution Foundation (MIR) offers a mini-grant program for MIR activities designed by teachers to implement, support and/or improve their ability to provide quality music education for students. Grants are available for music education activities for all types, yet must clearly contain music education focus. K–12 public school teachers can apply for mini-grants of up to $500. Students and/or parents may participate in writing application. Projects should initiate students into a sense of their social, academic and cultural identity. Projects should also humanize children through the emotional, cognitive and/or physical impact of music. DEADLINE: Oct. 15. CONTACT: Music Is Revolution Foundation, c/o Svengirly Music Inc., P.O. Box 91894, Pasadena, CA 91109; e-mail: info@svengirly.com; Web site: www.musicisrevolution.org.
Tolerance grants: Tolerance.org, a Web project for the Southern Poverty Law Center, seeks applications for Mix It Up Grants. Grants will support youth-directed programs and projects that address social boundaries in schools or communities. The main criteria require youth to serve as decision makers in the project; promote collaboration across different youth groups, clubs or community groups; and be part of an ongoing effort. Grants of $500 are available to K-12 students or educators who will guide or implement a youth-directed project. DEADLINE: Ongoing. CONTACT: Mix It Up Grants, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104; Web site: www.tolerance.org/teens/grants.jsp.
Classroom makeover contest: Expo Markers, a classroom products retailer, is offering a chance for teachers to receive a classroom makeover. The school represented in the grand prize winner's entry will win products that can be used to improve the classroom of the teacher who submitted the entry. One grand prize winner will receive a $25,000 classroom makeover. Other winners will receive $5,000 makeovers for their classrooms, which includes markers, whiteboards and more. K-12 teachers can apply. DEADLINE: Oct. 15. CONTACT: Applicants need to apply online, www.expoclassroommakeover.com.
Forensics in the classroom: Court TV, producers of criminal science shows Forensic Files and Body of Evidence, is offering schools the chance to win a grant to implement one of its various forensic-related curriculum activities in the classroom. Those who win the grant may be able to organize a Forensics Day at their school, where Court TV staff could possibly visit to talk about forensic investigations and techniques. Middle- or high-school science teachers can apply for the $1,000 grant to implement the curriculum. DEADLINE: Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. CONTACT: Applications are available online at www.courttv.com/forensics_curriculum/grant.html.
Free software: CoffeeCup Software, is awarding grants on an ongoing basis that include free packages of five top-selling Windows applications teachers can use to teach students how to develop Web sites. Teachers from K-12 public schools are eligible to apply for the Educational Software Package and must fill out an online application at www.coffeecup.com/k12/.
Best Buy Teach awards: Best Buy Co. has announced that applications are being accepted for its 2008 Best Buy Teach Awards, which reward the innovative use of technology in K–12 classrooms. This year, 1,500 schools will receive $2,000 awards; up to 50 schools will receive $10,000; and eight school districts will receive up to $100,000. K–12 schools can apply. Applicants must have been educators at the school for at least one academic year. The program must have been in existence at the school for one year. Judges will be looking for hands-on projects that create opportunities for cross-disciplinary teaching, among the criteria. DEADLINE: Sept. 30. CONTACT: Apply online at http://communications.bestbuy.com.
Kids in Need Foundation: The Kids in Need Foundation is seeking applications for its teacher grants program. Funds are designed for classroom teachers who have “innovative, meritorious ideas.” Teacher projects that make creative use of common teaching aids, approach the curriculum from an imaginative angle, or tie non-traditional concepts together to illustrate similarities will be prime candidates to win money. The project should be a teacher’s or teaching team’s original creation. Funds range from $200 to $500. K–12 certified teachers working in the subject of the project can apply. DEADLINE: Sept. 30. CONTACT: www.kidsinneed.net/grants/guidelines.php.
Science award: The Vision of Science Award recognizes a classroom science teacher for designing creative, innovative science lessons that develop an understanding of vision and eye health. The winning school should use funds to further the study, teaching, and learning of vision and eye health. The winning school will receive a $3,000 check, while the teacher will get two checks: one for $2,000, and one for $500 to apply to travel expenses to attend the NSTA National Conference on Science Education. K–12 classroom teachers whose responsibilities include teaching science can apply. DEADLINE: Oct. 15. CONTACT: Phone: 1-703-243-7100; e-mail: awards@nsta.org; Web site: www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx#vsp.
