Promoting your school library

The American Association of School Librarians is looking for proposals for the Ruth Toor Grant for Strong Public School Libraries. Public school libraries that are led by a certified school librarian would use the grant to support the creation and implementation of a local campaign that promotes and positions their school library as a necessary resource in the community, tying in the theme “Strong School Libraries.” Grants consist of $3,000 to create and implement a project that promotes school library awareness and its accomplishments to school officials and administrators; $2,000 for the school librarian and the school official (or volunteer parent) to attend the AASL conference, or the American Library Association Annual Conference during the years when the AASL has no national conference.

DEADLINE: Feb. 1.
CONTACT: aasl@ala.org; Toor Grant

Solving climate problems

Lexus is accepting applications for the 2015–16 Lexus Eco Challenge. The challenge is a STEM contest for students in grades 6–12. Funds: Sixteen $10,000 awards, which consist of a $1,000 prize awarded directly to the teacher adviser(s); a $7,000 prize evenly distributed among the winning team members in the form of checks made payable to the parent or legal guardian of each student or to the student directly pending parental consent; and a $2,000 prize to the winning team’s school. Sixth- through 12th-grade student teams must create action plans to solve air and climate issues that affect their communities.

DEADLINE: Dec. 11.
CONTACT: ecochallenge@scholastic.com; Lexus Challenge

Encouraging social justice

The American Association of School Librarians is seeking applications for the Roald Dahl’s Miss Honey Social Justice Award, which recognizes and encourages collaboration and partnerships between school librarians and teachers in teaching social justice through joint planning of a program, unit or event using school library resources. The awards consists of $2,000 to the librarian, up to $1,000 in reimbursement toward travel and housing to attend the AASL awards presentation at the ALA Annual Conference, and a $5,000 book donation by Penguin Random House. Eligibility: school librarians who are personal members of AASL.

DEADLINE: Feb. 1.
CONTACT: aasl@ala.org; Social Justice Award

Lawyers in the classroom

The Law Related Education Committee at the New York County Lawyers’ Association continues its outreach program to schools and community groups. The longtime program consists of attorneys and judges visiting classrooms to speak on a variety of topics regarding the law, the courts and the justice system. Among the topics are: Jobs in the Justice System; Law as a Career; Immigration Law; Criminal Law; Civil Law; Family Law; Commercial Law; Constitutional Law; Cheating; Bullying; Fairness/Justice; and When Do You Need a Lawyer? A class visit to an active courtroom may also be requested.

CONTACT: Justice Richard Lee Price, chair, Committee on Law-Related Education, at 1-718-618-3646 or rprice@nycourts.gov.

Google competition

Google is accepting entries for its Doodle 4 Google competition, which asks K–12 students to create a doodle that tells the world “What makes me … me.” Each doodle must incorporate the letters G-o-o-g-l-e, and may use any materials — from crayons to clay to graphic design, and even food and video games. The national winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship, a trip to the San Francisco area, a Chromebook, an Android tablet and $50,000 toward the establishment/improvement of a computer lab or a technology program at the winner’s school. Other prizes include $5,000 scholarships for four national finalists and Android tablets for 48 runners-up. K–12 students may apply.

DEADLINE: Dec. 7.
CONTACT: Google Doodle