USA Today invites K-12 teachers to apply for the 2005 All-USA Teacher Team, a group of 20 outstanding teachers who represent a variety of grade levels and schools. Each teacher named to the team receives a $500 award, and his or her school receives $2,000. Team members are also recognized in USA Today; runners-up are mentioned in USA Today and receive certificates. Learn more about this award and past team members at www.usatoday.com/news/education/
2005-01-04-2005-teacher-nominee-calls_x.htm. The application deadline is April 29.
Students in grades pre-K-8 are eligible to enter the 2004-05 Stone Scholarship Contest, sponsored by Califone International, Inc. Depending upon their age group, students enter the contest by submitting a coloring page, a drawing, or a short story or essay. The theme for contest entries is "Califone Helps Me Learn." Prizes range from $200-$300 in U.S. Savings Bonds and up to $1,000 in Califone products. Additional information is available at www.califone.com. The deadline for entries is April 30.
CDW-G and Discovery Channel School are sponsoring the Win a Wireless Lab Sweepstakes. The grand prizes are three 20-station wireless laptop labs with carts, a printer, and a projection device. To enter, any adult employee of a public or private school in the United States must complete an online entry form at school.discovery. com/cdwg. Entries are due May 1.
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, presented by the White House and the National Science Foundation, honors math and science teachers of grades 7-12. Candidates must be nominated by another individual and then complete an application themselves. Up to 108 National Awardees receive a special citation, a $10,000 award, and a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C. to attend a weeklong series of recognition events. Nomination materials are available at www.paemst.org. The deadline for nominations is May 2.
Each year, Target stores award local grants for projects that support the arts, family violence prevention, or reading. Grants typically range between $1,000 and $3,000, and funding decisions are made at the local level. To learn more about this program, go to www.target.com and visit a local store to pick up an application form. The deadline for applications is May 31.
Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc. offers the Products for Learning program to K-12 teachers. To win a donation of Fuji products valued up to $1,000, teachers submit a lesson plan they would like to adapt and implement in their classroom, explaining why the products are critical to implementation. Teachers who receive an award must submit the final class project. More information is available at www.fujifilm.com/ JSP/fuji/epartners/Productsforlearning.jsp. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Tip of the Month
You have a great idea for a classroom project, but need to find outside funds to cover expenses. You've found a grant opportunity that seems feasible, but before you start filling out the application, run the idea past your principal. Many grantors now require a supervisor's signature to ensure there is administrator support for funded projects. Be prepared to discuss how your project supports schoolwide goals, how the budget would be managed, and who would be responsible for reporting requirements.
Resource
If the time's not right to tackle a grant proposal, but you need to raise some funds, check out the Horace Mann Educational Financial Solutions Web site. This page offers a variety of both creative and tried-and-true strategies and ideas for fund raising projects. In addition to a list of ideas from Horace Mann, there are links to a number of other sites for school fund raising ideas. Learn more at www.reacheverychild.com/feature/fundraisers.html.
Visit www.techlearning.com/resources/grants.jhtml to search through the extensive database of grants and contests.
