The AIMS Multimedia Digital Teacher Award honors best practice uses of DigitalCurriculum-a curriculum-on-demand system featuring videos, video clips, still photos, articles, guides, lesson plans, and interactive assessments and assignments. Prizes include subscriptions to DigitalCurriculum and Digital Media in the Classroom, as well as $1,000. Details are available at http://www.digitalcurriculum.com/contests.htm.
The deadline for entries is May 31.
Students in grades 5-8 may be nominated to enter their science projects in the Discovery Young Scientist Challenge, sponsored by Science Service and Discovery Channel School. Forty finalists will be selected from a pool of 400 semifinalists to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Prizes are scholarships ranging from $500-$15,000. More information is available at http://www.school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral/dysc/index.html.
Entry deadline is June 1.
High school and post-secondary students may participate in the Microsoft Office Specialist Academic Competition sponsored by Certiport Inc. Students demonstrate skills in using Microsoft Word and Excel by completing online exams. Two students will win a trip to Redmond, Wash., to visit the Microsoft headquarters. Regional winners receive a laptop computer. For more information, visit http://www.officecompetition.com/about.html.
The final testing date is June 15.
The Kurzweil 3000 Software Awards, sponsored by Kurzweil Educational Systems Inc., recognize students, teachers, and institutions that offer equal classroom learning opportunities to individuals with learning disabilities. One teacher, one student, and one school will receive complimentary admission to the Learning Disabilities of Massachusetts Annual Conference (travel not included); licenses of Kurzweil 3000 for individual or classroom use; and complimentary support services. To learn more, visit http://www.kurzweiledu.com/aboutus_awardprograms_annualk3000awards.asp.
Deadline for entries is June 1.
The School Library Journal and Greenwood Publishing Group's Administrator of the Year Award recognizes administrators who have a dynamic, creative working relationship with their school librarian. Winners receive cash awards to be spent on library purchases. Additional information is available at http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.
Nominations are due June 1.
Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Inc. is accepting nominations for the National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year Program. This award recognizes one individual for his or her work as a scholastic media adviser and journalism teacher. The winner represents scholastic journalism at media conferences, receives a laptop computer, and writes a quarterly column for Adviser Update. A senior student at the winning teacher's school is eligible for a $1,000 college scholarship. Application materials are available at djnewspaperfund. http://dowjones.com/fund/default.asp.
Nomination deadline is July 1.
Tip of the Month
Many grant proposals require student demographics and academic achievement data. You can save time by gathering commonly requested data (such as enrollment, student ethnicity, test scores, or discipline statistics) and storing the information in one convenient location. Set up a file and drop in a copy of various statistics as they cross your desk. When you need the information, it will be easy to locate and review.
Resources
Curriculum Associates, a resource for supplemental instructional materials, is now offering free, one-day grant writing seminars for administrators and other educators. The topics include techniques for development work, writing strategies and resources, market research, project design and program planning, and vendor selection.
To find out how you can schedule a seminar in your area, visit http://www.curriculumassociates.com and click on the Funding Services link.
