Following are application deadlines for awards, honors, and contests available to teachers. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*March-May SOCIAL STUDIES
The National Council for the Social Studies honors outstanding performance in the field through its awards and grants programs. The $1,500 Defense of Academic Freedom Award recognizes classroom teachers or other individuals who have distinguished themselves defending the principles of academic freedom in specific controversies and advocating the freedom to teach and learn. The Social Studies Programs of Excellence Award recognizes outstanding programs currently being implemented within the United States and encourages the development of innovative programs. To be eligible for the award, which provides a commemorative gift for the institution, a program must be nominated by its state social studies council. The Christa McAuliffe Reach for the Stars Award, co-sponsored by the Fund for the Advancement of Social Studies Education, awards $1,500 and a commemorative gift to classroom teachers for the development and implementation of innovative teaching strategies and student citizenship projects. The $2,000 Award for Global Understanding, given in honor of James M. Becker, is funded by the Longview Foundation and Mid-America Center and recognizes an educator or team of educators who have helped students better their understanding of the world. Additional information and detailed guidelines and criteria are available on the Web site. For more information, contact: Ana Post, Director of Partnerships and Program Initiatives, NCSS, 8555 16th St., Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (800) 296-7840, ext. 114; e-mail apost@ncss.org; www.ncss.org/awards.
*March 15 BIOLOGY/LIFE SCIENCE
The National Association of Biology Teachers announces a number of award competitions. The Biotechnology Teaching Award, sponsored by Edvotek Inc., is given to a secondary school teacher or undergraduate college faculty member. Applicants must demonstrate an innovative classroom approach that incorporates the principles and processes of biotechnology. The Outstanding New Biology Teacher Achievement Award, sponsored by NABT, recognizes outstanding teaching by a 7th-12th grade biology or life science educator with less than three years’ teaching experience at the time of nomination. Applicants must have developed an original program or technique and made a contribution to the profession at the start of their careers. Science Kit, Boreal Laboratories, and the NABT’s Role and Status of Women in Biology Education sponsor the Award for Excellence in Encouraging Equity, which recognizes efforts by biology educators to encourage, promote, and strive for equity in the educational community. Judging criteria vary for each award. All winners receive a recognition plaque, honorarium, and complimentary NABT membership; all awards will be presented in November at the NABT national convention in Chicago. Contact: Louise Pittack, NABT, 12030 Sunrise Valley Dr., Suite 110, Reston, VA 20191-3409; (703) 264-9696; fax (703) 264-7778;e-mail lpittack@nabt.org; www.nabt.org.
*March 15 EDUCATION LEADERS
The McGraw-Hill Companies invite nominations for the 2004 Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. Up to three prizes of $25,000 each are awarded to individuals in teaching, education administration, business, and government who have shown innovation in attempting to change, improve, enhance, or further an area of American education. Contact: Teresa White, Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10020; (212) 512-6113; www.mcgraw- hill.com/community/mcgraw_prize/2003.
*April 1 SOCIAL STUDIES
The National Council for the Social Studies seeks nominations for the Outstanding Elementary, Middle Level, and Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year awards. Teachers must have maintained NCSS membership for at least two years prior to the nomination date and must demonstrate exceptional abilities in six of seven criteria. Winners receive $2,500, a commemorative gift, an opportunity to speak at the NCSS annual conference, and a complimentary one-year NCSS membership. TIME for Kids, Scholastic Inc., and TIME Classroom sponsor the award. Contact: Ana Post, Director of Partnerships and Program Initiatives, NCSS, 8555 16th St., Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (301) 588-1800, ext. 114; fax (301) 588-2049; e-mail apost@ncss.org; www.ncss.org/awards.
*April 2 WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Solid Waste Association of North America sponsors the Excellence in Solid Waste Management Award to recognize extraordinary efforts in educating the public on issues related to solid waste. Entries are judged on technical accuracy, educational goals, quality of design and communications, program evaluation, and originality. Contact: Stephen Ridzon, SWANA, P.O. Box 7219, Silver Spring, MD 20907; (240) 494-2241; e-mail sridzon@swana.org; www.swana.org /sections/innovate/awa_excellence.aspx.
*April 15 PLAYWRIGHTS
The VSA arts Playwright Discovery Teacher Award recognizes educators who bring disability awareness to the classroom through the art of playwriting. The recipient receives funds for playwriting resources, a trip to Washington, D.C., and national recognition. Applications and information are available on the Web site. For more information, contact: VSA arts, (800) 933-8721; www.vsarts.org.
*April 16 CABLE TELEVISION
Time Warner Cable announces its National Teacher Awards, open to educators from state-accredited private or public schools in Time Warner Cable service areas. Candidates submit examples of innovative classroom activities developed using cable programs or the Internet. Twenty teachers or teacher teams receive $1,000 andexpenses-paid trips to Washington, D.C. Local Time Warner Cable offices can also provide information. Contact: Bonnie Hathaway, Time Warner Cable, Corporate Communications, 290 Harbor Dr., Stamford, CT 06902; (203) 328-0620; e-mail bonnie.hathaway@twcable.com; www.timewarnercable.com.
*April 30 INNOVATIVE TEACHING
The ING Unsung Heroes awards recognize innovative and progressive thinking in education. One hundred finalists, along with their schools, are selected to receive $2,000 each to fund innovative projects. Three are chosen to receive the top prizes—an additional $5,000, $10,000, or $25,000. Finalists are selected by Scholarship America. With the budgetary constraints in today’s schools, this program is ING’s way of recognizing classroom heroes who often have to use their own money to implement these programs. Applicants must be employed by an accredited K-12 public or private school and be full-time educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, or classified staff members with effective projects that improve student learning. All awards must be used to further the projects within the school or school system. Applications are available from the ING Web site. Contact: Scholarship America, (800) 537-4180; e-mail ing@csfa.org; www.ing.com/unsungheroes.
*May 1 MATH AND SCIENCE
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, established in 1983 by the White House and sponsored by the National Science Foundation, identifies outstanding K-12 math and science teachers in the 50 states; Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; Department of Defense schools; American Samoa; Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas; and the Virgin Islands. Teachers serve as models for their colleagues and as leaders in the improvement of science and mathematics education. Grades K-6 teachers are eligible to apply in 2004; in 2005, the competition will be open to teachers of grades 7-12. Awardees are chosen by a national selection committee and receive a citation signed by the president of the United States; a $10,000 award from NSF and gifts from donors; and a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., in March to attend recognition events, including an award ceremony, meetings with leaders in government and education, sessions to share ideas and teaching experiences, and receptions and banquets to honor recipients. Full-time, certified teachers currently teaching math or science in public or private schools and with at least five years’ experience teaching those subjects in a K-6 classroom can be nominated. Principals, other teachers, students, or any member of the general public may submit a nomination. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nomination forms are available on the Web site. Completed applications must be submitted to state coordinators. For more information on the program or how to reach a state coordinator, contact: NSF, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230; (703) 292- 5111; www.nsf.gov/pa.
