Looking for funds to make an innovative technology project possible? Seeking recognition for outstanding teachers or students in your district? Here's a sampling of some great opportunities.
Technology & Learning'sEd Tech Leader of the Year program recognizes K-12 administrators, technology specialists, and teachers who demonstrate leadership, vision, and creativity in implementing technology in schools and districts. Ten finalists will receive a year's free subscription to T & L, an award certificate, and recognition in the December 2005 issue. Four national winners also will be invited to join the T & L Advisory Board, to be guest editors for www.techlearning.com, and will receive coverage in a spotlight article in the December 2005 issue. The call for entry is available at www.techlearning.com/content/contest . The deadline is Sept. 12, 2005.
Nonprofit agencies directly serving disadvantaged children ages 12 and younger may apply for Hasbro Programs for Children grants, sponsored by the Hasbro Children's Foundation. This program supports local and national initiatives that improve the lives of young children through innovative education programs. Awards range from $500 to $35,000; however, larger amounts are available for multisite, multiyear projects. The deadline is Oct. 14, 2005.
The theme of Technology & Learning's Portraits of Learning: Digital Photography contest for K-12 students is "Express Yourself." Students may submit as many as three digital photos taken between January 1 and Oct. 15, 2005. Details about contest rules and the entry form are available at www.techlearning.com/ content/contest/ photos. Prizes include digital cameras and software. Winning photos will be published in the December 2005 issue of T & L and online at www.techlearning.com and the Adobe Digital Kids Club Web site. The deadline is Oct. 15, 2005.
High school seniors who demonstrate the qualities of a "free spirit" in their academic or personal lives and who intend to pursue a career in journalism may apply for an Al Neuharth Free Spirit scholarship, sponsored by the Freedom Forum. Each scholarship is for $1,000. A total of 102 awards will be given for two students from each state and the District of Columbia. Two top students will be selected to win a special award of $50,000. The deadline is Oct. 15, 2005.
Innovative middle school science programs may be submitted for the DCAT Making a Difference award, sponsored by the Drug, Chemical & Allied Trades Association Education Foundation. The winning entry is awarded $2,500 to be used for the science program. Also, the winning school's lead science teacher and principal are given airfare and one night's hotel accommodation to attend the National Science Teachers Association's national convention. More information is available at www.nsta.org/awardscomp. The deadline is Oct. 15, 2005.
eInstruction has launched its Engaging Kids to Learn grant program to promote classroom use of personal response systems. Each quarter, as many as nine applicants will be selected to receive a grant: three elementary, three middle, and three high schools. Winning schools will receive one 32-pad Classroom Performance System (CPS); a CPS Chalkboard; and content containing thousands of CPS questions from Prentice Hall and Scott Foresman.
Tip of the Month
Planning to write a grant for federal funds? This year, the U.S. Department of Education is transitioning to www.grants.gov, where applicants can find funding opportunities from all federal agencies and apply for grants online. The DOE recommends that applicants register now to avoid possible delays that could impact the submission of proposals. www.ed.gov/policy/fund/guid/gposbul/esubmitpolicysummary.html
Resource
The National Center for Education Statistics offers up-to-date statistics that are very useful when writers are developing grant proposals. The What's New area spotlights recent publications, which can be downloaded as PDFs or ordered at no cost. Ed Stats at a Glance lets visitors browse and search the center's major statistical compendiums. Quick Tables and Figures provides access to all tables and figures published in NCES' Education Statistics Quarterly.
Visit http://techlearning.com/resources/grants.jhtml to search through the extensive database of grants and contests.
