Agricultural opportunity

The National Science Teachers Association is seeking applications for the DuPont Pioneer Excellence in Agricultural Science Education Award. The award seeks to recognize excellence and innovation in the field of agricultural science education. The awardee will receive a $5,000 grant for his or her classroom or program; paid travel expenses to attend the NSTA national conference on science education; mentoring with a DuPont Pioneer scientist; classroom resources from DuPont Pioneer; and access to a DuPont Pioneer product plant or research facility. Eligibility: Any K–12 science teacher who incorporates innovative agricultural science activities into his or her existing science curriculum. Awardee will be chosen based on demonstrated incorporation of hands-on agricultural science activities into the classroom, which include: effective planning skills, including goals and objectives; demonstrated impact and engagement of students; opportunities for students to attain science standards; description of how the award would be used to further nominee’s agricultural science program.

DEADLINE: Dec. 15.
CONTACT: awards@nsta.org; DuPont Pioneer Excellence in Agricultural Science Award

Promoting literacy

The International Literacy Association seeks nominations for the ILA Erwin Zolt Curriculum Excellence Award. The award honors exceptional design and execution of a curriculum unit based on In2Books or an ePals project and the Common Core State Standards, inspiring students to transform knowledge into creative action. Candidate must be an ILA member and a teacher mentor or a teacher implementing In2Books in the classroom to apply for grants of up to $2,500.

DEADLINE: Jan. 15.
CONTACT: International Literacy Association

The art of the matter

The Kinder Morgan Foundation provides support for academic programs, including tutoring and arts education programs. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, public schools and private schools. Proposed programs must benefit youths in grades K–12. The foundation provides program support only, although libraries may apply for capital projects (with some restrictions).

DEADLINE: The 10th of every other month beginning in January.
CONTACT: km_foundation@kindermorgan.com; Kinder Morgan Foundation

Research fellowship

The National Academy of Education is seeking applications for the National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The program supports early-career scholars working in critical areas of education research. It also develops the careers of its recipients through professional development activities involving National Academy of Education members. Only education research projects are acceptable. The organization funds studies that examine the efficacy of curriculum and teaching methods; however, it does not fund the initial development of curriculum or instructional programs. Fellows receive $70,000 for one academic year of research, or $35,000 for each of two contiguous years, working half time. Individuals can apply.

DEADLINE: Nov. 3.
CONTACT: info@naeducation.org; National Academy of Education

Milk cartoon contest

Evergreen Packaging is looking for entries for its fall 2016 Made By Milk Carton Construction Contest. Students are invited to build milk carton creations inspired by advances in industry, travel, science, education, technology, medicine, entertainment and beyond — or even create their own unique invention out of repurposed cartons. The winning team can earn up to $5,000 for its school. Eligibility: K–12 schools. All projects should be constructed from empty milk or juice cartons saved from school lunches.

DEADLINE: Nov. 16.
CONTACT: Made By Milk

For librarians and paras

The American Library Association is offering librarians a chance to win a trip to its Midwinter Meeting. Applicants must be ALA members and must work as a librarian or be a paraprofessional working in a library. The $1,500 award must be used for actual reimbursed expenses related to attending the meeting. Applicants must complete the online application, which includes an essay of no more than 250 words that addresses a topic about libraries and librarianship. A brief curriculum vitae (no more than one page) should also be attached.

DEADLINE: Nov. 2.
CONTACT: American Library Association

Planting learning opportunities

Created in partnership with FoodCorps, the School Garden Grant program provides $2,000 to support an edible educational garden on the grounds of a K–12 school. School gardens are a vital educational tool. Learning about the process of growing food helps children develop a deep understanding of the connection between healthy eating and a healthy body. School gardens offer an opportunity to integrate math, science and health curricula into a dynamic, interactive setting.

DEADLINE: Oct. 31. You will be notified by Feb. 15.
CONTACT: Whole Kids Foundation

Apply STEM in your community

The Solve for Tomorrow Contest from Samsung aims to engage and create enthusiasm for STEM subjects by asking teachers and their students to answer the challenge, “Show how STEM can be applied to help your local community.” Public school teachers in grades 6–12 can apply. There are six phases to this contest and awards will be given out at different phases. At phase 3, December–February state winners will receive a minimum of $20,000 in technology tools for their school. At phase 4, February and March, 15 national finalists will be chosen from the state winners and their videos will be placed online for public voting. All national finalists will receive a minimum of $40,000 in technology for their school. At phase 5 in April, five winners will be selected and they each will receive a technology grant of $120,000 and, at phase 6, be invited to the awards celebration in Washington, D.C.

DEADLINE: Oct. 31.
CONTACT: Samsung

Scoring healthy points

This competitive funding initiative Fuel Up to Play 60 from the National Dairy Council and the National Football League provides money to help schools jump-start and sustain healthy nutrition and physical activity improvements. Funding opportunities are available to any qualified K–12 school enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60. Sponsored by the National Dairy Council, state and regional Dairy Councils and other supporting organizations, the competitive, nationwide funding program provides seed money of up to $4,000 per year per school to help implement one Healthy Eating Play and one Physical Activity Play from the 2016–17 edition of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Playbook.

DEADLINE: Nov. 2.
CONTACT: Fuel Up to Play 60