Science Fairs - Competitions

Alaska Science Symposium - http://www.ashsss.uaf.edu/about.php

Alaska State Science and Engineering Fair - http://www.alaskasciencefair.org/

Alaska Ocean Sciences Bowl - http://seagrant.uaf.edu/nosb/index.html

21st Century Explorer Podcast Competition - http://www.explorationpodcast.com/

Inspire Excellence in Science and Mathematics

The Intel Schools of Distinction Program honors schools in the United States that have demonstrated excellence in math and science education. To be considered as an Intel School of Distinction, schools must develop an environment and curricula that meet or exceed benchmarks, including national mathematics and science content standards. Up to three schools at each level—elementary, middle and high school—will be named as finalists in the math and science categories. The 18 schools will receive a cash grant of $5,000 from the Intel Foundation and a trip to Washington, D.C., for a four-member team from their school and district. Six winners will be selected from the finalists and will receive an additional $5,000 cash grant for a total of $10,000. One of these winners will be selected as the Star Innovator and will receive an additional $15,000 grant for a total of $25,000. All five winning schools and the Star Innovator will also receive products and services from program sponsors. The deadline to apply is February 23, 2012.

Sustainable Future Challenge for Middle School Students

The ISWEEEP 3E Sustainable Future Challenge is a national contest for middle school students that aims to create a platform for young researchers in which they present their innovative projects to take on today's challenges in energy, engineering, and environment. Applications deadline February 24, 2012

Samsung – Solve for Tomorrow – Sharing the Wonder of STEM

Your school can win a part of $1,000,000 in technology. Samsung and its partners are asking teachers to participate in its contest, which will address a key academic challenge in our country: to increase the pursuit of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. Applications deadline March 12, 2012.

Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

There is still plenty of time to register your team for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Join K–12 students and teachers nationwide in this exciting sustainability competition to solve environmental problems and win over $250,000 in prizes. The deadline for all entries is March 15, 2012. Finalists will be announced by April 23 and the national winners will be announced May 15.

Alaska Science Olympiad Set for March in Anchorage

The Alaska Science Olympiad is being held March 31 at the University of Alaska Anchorage. For the past 28years, Science Olympiad has led a revolution in science education. What began as a grassroots assembly of science teachers is now one of the premiere science competitions in the nation, providing rigorous, standards-based challenges to nearly 6,200 teams in 50 states. Science Olympiad's ever-changing event lineup provides a variety of career choices and exposure to practicing scientists and mentors.

2012 National Youth Science Camp Competition Open

Applications due by February 17, 2012
The 2012 National Youth Science Camp competition is now open to Alaskan Seniors who who will graduate by June 30, 2012. The National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is a residential science education program that honors and challenges two graduating high school science students from each state and others from selected countries around the world.  Scientists from across the nation present lectures and hands-on science seminars and linger to interact informally with student delegates.  Delegates are challenged to explore new areas in the biological and physical sciences, art, and music with resident staff members.  Opportunities are provided for delegates to present seminars covering their own areas of interest and research.  A visit to Washington D.C. permits delegates to visit some of the nation's premier scientific, governmental, and cultural facilities.  The NYSC experience includes overnight excursions into the Monongahela National Forest, featuring backpacking, rock-climbing,caving, mountain biking, and kayaking opportunities.  Delegates are required to participate in the camp program for its entirety. Delegates must arrive in Charleston, West Virginia, on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, and depart on Saturday, July 21, 2012.

A complete application consists of an original and one copy of the following:
1.    Delegate Application Cover Sheet (please print or type),
2.    A letter detailing your qualifications and reasons for applying (must be typed),
3.    A resume detailing your academic achievements and extra-curricular activities,
4.    A recent academic transcript (including standardized test scores when possible),
5.    A letter of support from a teacher or research mentor.

Mail or ship your complete application directly to your selection coordinator (bjorn.wolter@alaska.gov) so that it is received no later than February 17, 2012.

ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships

The Exxon Mobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarship is an opportunity especially for African American and Hispanic students. Named for the first African American to walk in space. ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships are available to 2012 graduating high school seniors in school districts represented by the Council of the Great City Schools.
Four scholarships for two males and two females of $5,000 each will be awarded to two African American and two Hispanic students on behalf of the former NASA astronaut, physician and businessman, Dr. Bernard Harris. The application submission deadline isApril 2, 2012.

K-12: Apply now for the Gustav Ohaus Award
 For over 40 years, Ohaus Corporation has been sponsoring this program, which is designed to recognize innovations which have the potential to improve science teaching at the primary, secondary and college levels.  These innovations may be in the form of curricula design, teaching strategies, administrative and/or organizational patterns, and laboratory utilization with emphasis on measurement activities.
 
The Gustav Ohaus Awards Program offers one award winner a trip to the NSTA National Convention, a cash prize of $1500, a personalized Gustav Ohaus award plus other benefits. Ohaus will also recognize the awardees' school, which will receive Ohaus product (up to $1000) and a school plaque for display at their location.
 
Winners will be presented their award each year at the National Science Teachers Association's National Convention during an all expense paid dinner with corporate representatives from Ohaus.  The deadline to apply is December 15, 2011. 
 
Are You an Eco-Hero?
Action For Nature is proud to honor the work of young people between the ages of 8 and 16 who have done creative environmental projects. The winners of AFN's International Young Eco-Hero Awards program receive a cash prize and a special certificate, as well as public recognition on our Web site and elsewhere. This is a great chance for you to share your environmental activism and creative work. We look forward to again supporting young people from all around the world working to save our planet.  The deadline to apply is January 15, 2012

Biology Competition Opens for High School Students
The USA Biology Olympiad is open for registration to February 3, 2012. There is a $75 fee per school, with no limit on the number of students who participate. Contact Kathy Frame at kframe@cee.org for more information.
 
Here's how it works: After two rounds of difficult exams, twenty finalists are invited to a residential training program where they learn advanced biological concepts and exacting lab skills at Purdue University. Ultimately, four students earn the right to represent the U.S. at the International Biology Olympiad, a competition involving student teams from roughly sixty countries.
 
New SSEP Mission 2 Flight Opportunity
SSEP Mission 2 to ISS includes an experiment design competition March though May 2012, with selected flight experiments flying to ISS aboard Soyuz 32 in September 2012 – a great way to start the new school year. All communities interested in participating in Mission 2 should contact the center as soon as possible.
SSEP is the first pre-college STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education program that is both a U.S. national initiative and implemented as an on-orbit commercial space venture. SSEP is enabled through NanoRacks LLC, which is working in partnership with NASA under a Space Act Agreement as part of the utilization of the International Space Station as a National Laboratory.

The National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) creates and oversees national initiatives addressing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, with a focus on earth and space. Programs are designed to provide an authentic window on science as a human endeavor. Central objectives of the Center's programs are to help ensure a scientifically literate public and a next generation of U.S. scientists and engineers – both of which are of national importance in an age of high technology. NCESSE is a project of the Tides Center. 

NanoRacks LLC was formed in 2009 to provide quality hardware and services for the U.S. National Laboratory onboard the International Space Station. NanoRacks now has two research platforms onboard the U.S. National Laboratory that can house plug and play payloads using the Cube-Sat form factor. Our current signed customer pipeline of over 50 payloads, including domestic and international educational institutions, research organizations and government organizations, has propelled NanoRacks into a leadership position in understanding the emerging commercial market for low-earth orbit utilization.

Media Contact
Dr. Jeff Goldstein, Center Director, NCESSE
301-395-0770 jeffgoldstein@ncesse.org

2012 Kavli Save the World Through Science and Engineering Video Contest
The Kavli Foundation is challenging Grades 6-12 students across the world to brainstorm and share their ideas! This year's contest theme is inspired the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges. The NAE recently asked some of the world's leading technological thinkers to identify what needs to be done to  make people and  our planet thrive.
 
Students worldwide are invited to submit entries to the 2012 video contest, with cash awards and prizes for the top entries. The best videos will be shown at the Festival Expo during April 27-29, 2012, where hundreds of thousands of science fans are expected to gather in Washington, D.C.  The first place winner will also receive a travel stipend to attend the Expo.  The deadline to enter is March 1, 2012.

PK-12:  Design Squad Nation: Build Big Competition Results
Design Squad Nation recently challenged viewers to choose an activity from the DSN website and SUPER SIZE it in a Build Big Competition! Watch some of the amazing submissions and be inspired to build your own BIG design.

IGES Art Contest
Wonders of Weather is the 16th annual art contest held by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. The contest is open to students in grades 2-4, who investigate weather and draw a picture showing what they learned. The deadline for entry is November 7, 2011.

Real World Design Challenge
The Real World Design Challenge is an annual competition that provides high school students the opportunity to work on real world engineering challenges in a team envi- ronment. Students use professional engineering software to develop their solutions and generate presentations that convincingly demonstrate the value of their solutions. The deadline for registration is November 18, 2011.

Team America Rocketry Challenge
Registration is open for the Team America Rocketry Challenge 2012, a national model rocket competition for U.S. students in grades 7-12. Thousands of students compete each year, making TARC the world's largest model rocket contest. Teams of three to 10 students are challenged to design, build, and fly a model rocket that will climb to 800 feet with a payload of two raw eggs and stay aloft for 43 to 47 seconds. The payload must then return to earth unbroken. Cash prizes are awarded to the top finishers. NASA invites top teams to participate in their Student Launch Initiative, an advanced rocketry program. Participation is limited to the first 1,000 teams who register by Nov. 30, 2011.

Recycle - Bowl
Keep America Beautiful's Recycle-Bowl competition, for elementary, middle and high school students was created to increase school recycling participation and teach students about recycling and environmental responsibility. The Competition Division is open to all U.S. schools. The Open Benchmarking Division was created for individual classrooms to compete against each other. All participating schools will track and report how much recyclable material they collect during the four-week competition.
 
The first 1000 schools to register in either the Competition or Open Division will receive a recycling toolkit loaded with recycling posters, a library book, a curriculum, activity booklets and a recycling "coach" t-shirt. Other downloadable educational resources can also be found on the website.
 
Schools in the Competition Division will be eligible to win prizes. At the close of the four-week competition, the school in each state that collects the most recyclable material per capita will win $1,000. A national champion will then be chosen from among the statewide winners to receive an additional grand prize of $2,500.  Registration is currently open on the website. Registration ends on Monday, October 10, 2011.  The competition runs from October 17 through November 12, culminating around America Recycles Day.

Shell Science Lab Challenge to Award $20,000 Lab Makeover
The Shell Science Lab Challenge, an NSTA competition for middle and high school teachers, will provide needed science laboratory equipment to schools across the country. Schools will compete for up to $93,000 in prizes, including a grand prize school science lab makeover support package valued at $20,000.  The program is giving special attention to urban schools and underrepresented groups.  We encourage you to distribute the information below and attached application to teachers and schools in your network.

Educators who have found innovative ways to deliver quality lab experiences in schools with little or no lab equipment are asked to illustrate and submit their strategies to the Challenge.   Applications will also include a description of the school's current laboratory resources and why they might be considered limited.

18 regional winners will be selected. Of the 18 winners, five national winners will be chosen, and from the national winners a grand prize winner will be selected.

All winners will receive donated science lab equipment or gift certificates, a cash grant to purchase additional science lab tools and resources, a $300 gift certificate to the NSTA Science Store, memberships to the NSTA and the NSTA Learning Center, and support to attend NSTA conferences.  All entries will be put into an online library to create a repository of strategies and ideas that teachers looking for exciting ways to create quality labs for their students, can access and use.

While the Challenge will give special attention to urban schools and underrepresented groups, schools in rural areas and those with limited laboratory resources are also encouraged to apply. New Streamlined Application makes it easier to apply and the deadline is October 21, 2011.

Fall 2011 Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest – Grades 5-12
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying Saturn. Participants examine three possible observations taken by Cassini and choose the one they think will yield the best scientific results. This choice must be supported in a 500-word essay. Winners and their classmates will participate in a teleconference with Cassini scientists. The contest is open to all U.S. students grades 5-12, working alone or in groups of up to four students. The essays will be divided into three groups: grades 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12. All submissions must be the students' original work. Each student may submit only one entry, and all entrants will receive a certificate of participation. The deadline is Oct. 26, 2011.

Poster Contest Features National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges
The Engineering Education Service Center announced its Fall 2011 poster contest, themed around the NAE's Grand Challenges for Engineering. Entries should be "fun, motivational, and inspire students to pursue a degree in engineering, technology, math and/or science," according the contest website. The contest is geared toward high school and college students - though anyone can enter - and the winner will receive $200. Deadline:  November 4, 2011

7th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest
The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) announces its 7th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest for high school students from across the United States and around the world. You may recall that DNA Day commemorates the anniversary of the publication of Watson and Crick's seminal paper proposing a double-helical structure for DNA.
 
We have substantially increased the value of the awards for 2012. Students are eligible for cash prizes of $1,000, $600, and $400 for first-, second-, and third-place, respectively, and $100 for honorable mention (10 awards). Teachers of winning students will receive lab equipment grants of equivalent value. We invite you to submit up to six of the best essays that your students write. Also, because ASHG has always emphasized the importance of writing quality in the essays, in addition to the accuracy of the genetics content, please consider promoting this contest with your colleagues in the language arts. It is an excellent vehicle for implementing writing across the curriculum..
 
The essay submission site will open in January, the deadline is March 12. 2012, and winners will be announced April 20. We know you like to have this information as early in the academic year as possible so that you can build the essay into your teaching plans, and we hope you will be submitting this year.

Faraday Science Communicator Award
This award is named in honor of Michael Faraday (1791–1867), the English chemist and physicist who is known for his pioneering experiments in electricity and magnetism. Through lectures and letters, Faraday led people of all ages to a greater understanding of the natural scientific laws that govern us all. The Faraday Science Communicator Award will recognize and reward an individual or organization that has inspired and elevated the public's interest in and appreciation of science.
 
Eligibility:
Individual—The individual will not be a classroom teacher, but will work in, or have developed a compatible setting for science communication: i.e., museum, nature center, zoo, state park, aquarium, radio, television, internet, or other science-rich institutions or media. The individual may also be connected to a science setting through his or her involvement with civic organizations and child-education facilities: e.g., preK child-development centers, 4-H clubs, Girl and Boy Scouts, Girls and Boys Clubs of America, and so on.
 
Organizational—The organization will facilitate and provide exemplary opportunities for science communication to the public. The organization will desire to instill in the public an appreciation for science through communication efforts at the local, state, and national levels.
 
Awardee will be honored at the Awards Banquet during the NSTA National Conference on Science Education; the awardee receives an all-expense-paid trip (up to $2,500) to attend the Conference; all awardees will receive recognition in NSTA publications and will be given an opportunity to participate in a poster session during the conference. The deadline to apply is November 30, 2011.  

K-12:  Apply for the Teachers in Space: Pathfinder Competition
Every journey begins with a single step. The Pathfinder program is the first step in the journey toward our goal of putting a thousand astronaut teachers into American classrooms.
 
Pathfinders will be the first astronaut teachers to fly in space and return to the classroom. Pathfinders will not only fly in space, they will also help us design the three-week training course for the large number of teachers who follow. We hope that Pathfinders will also return each summer to help us teach the course. Can you think of a more exciting summer job?
 
Our first seven Pathfinders have been selected ; the seven are currently participating in training and professional development. The program is now looking for three additional Pathfinders who are knowledgeable in science, technology, engineering, or math.
 
The Pathfinder competition is open to K-12 teachers of all subjects. Applicants are asked to submit a proposal for an experiment that can be performed during a sub-orbital space flight and will be judged on these submissions as well as educational background and experience. Finalists will be contacted for personal interviews and additional screening.
Deadline for Application submission will be December 2, 2011. Candidates will be named in early summer of 2012. 

Empower Your Students to Help Change the World Through the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Program
Join the first web seminar, "What is ExploraVision and How Can I Use It?" on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.
The ExploraVision program, sponsored by Toshiba and administered by NSTA, was created to help motivate young students to excel in science and technology. It challenges teams of 2–4 students to research scientific principles and current technologies as the basis for designing innovative technologies that could exist in 20 years. Students on the four first-place ExploraVision winning teams will each receive a $10,000 U.S. Series EE Savings Bond valued at maturity.  Students on second-place teams will each receive a $5,000 bond valued at maturity. Canadian winners receive Canada bonds purchased for the equivalent issue price in Canadian dollars. The eight teams will also receive an expenses-paid trip with their families, mentor and coach to Washington, D.C., for a gala awards weekend in June 2012.
 
In an ExploraVision first, the teacher who submits the largest number of qualified student projects this year will receive a Toshiba tablet PC. Teachers can learn more about ExploraVision and how to use it as a tool in the classroom through a series of Web seminars at The NSTA Learning Center.  Applications for next year's competition are available online and are due February 1, 2012

A Chance to Win $50,000 for Your School
The Clorox Company's Power a Bright Future school grant program gives kids the power to grow and transform through playing, creating, and exploring inside and outside the classroom. Nominate your school by October 17 for the chance to win a $50,000 grand-prize grant to help fund a new or ongoing program. Schools also have a chance to win $25,000 grants in each of the Play, Create, or Explore categories. One school will also receive a special judges' choice grant of $25,000.

Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology
In partnership with the College Board, the Siemens Foundation established the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology to foster students' understanding of the value of scientific study and inform their consideration of future careers in these disciplines. To participate in the competition, students must take part in a research project, either as an individual or as a member of a team. Individual projects promote independent research; team projects foster collaborative research efforts as well as individual contributions to the cooperative endeavor. Scholarships for winning projects range from $1,000 to $100,000. The Siemens Competition is open to high school students who are citizens or permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States. Registration and updated instructions for the 2011 Siemens Competition are now available.
 
Deadline: Every individual or team entering a research project in the Competition must register online prior to the project submission deadline date of October 3, 2011

LEGO Smart Creativity Contest
The deadline to submit your video is October 14, 2011 so hurry to enter the 2011 LEGO® Smart™ Creativity Contest!
 
This year the contest is all about creativity, innovation, and hands-on learning! LEGO® want you to think beyond the books and focus on the power of the brick!  That's why in 150 seconds or less, they challenge you to . . . Create a video that showcases how you use LEGO Education solutions to spark student innovation!
 
One Grand Prize winner and five Segment winners will be selected. Prizes will consist of LEGO Education gift certificates valued at $2,500 for Segment winners and $5,000 for the Grand Prize winner. Additionally, all winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Education STEM Summit hosted by LEGO Education in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 16, 2011.  As an added bonus, the first 8,000 public or private school contestants and 2,000 homeschool contestants will receive a FREE LEGO Smart Kit with an exclusive contest challenge card inside!

Earth Science Week 2011 Contests (Due Oct. 14)
The American Geological Institute (AGI) is sponsoring contests as part of Earth Science Week 2011, celebrating the theme of "Our Ever-Changing Earth, " Oct. 9-15.
 
Photography Contest: This year's theme is "A World of Change in My Community," and participants should use their cameras to capture evidence of long- or short-term changes taking place on our planet or in their own neighborhood. Students, geologists and the general public are all invited to participate.
 
Visual Arts Contest: This contest is open to students grades K-5. The theme is "Picturing our Ever-Changing Earth." Participants should create a two-dimensional piece of artwork to illustrate the various ways air, water, land and living things change over time.
 
Essay Contest: This contest is open to students grades 6-9. The theme is, "How Change Shapes our Planet." In a brief essay, participants should explain how interaction between Earth's systems can change our world over time. The essay should discuss the processes used to study these changes and how human life can be affected by geologic transformation.
For more information on how to enter, rules, and about Earth Science Week 2011, visit: http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/.

Youth Incentive Award-Grades 7-12
The Coleopterists Society, an international organization of professionals and hobbyists interested in the study of beetles, has established a program to recognize young people studying beetles.  The Society has pledged to provide up to $300 each year for the Youth Incentive Award Program.  Each of the two awards (Junior and Senior) is a monetary grant of $150, award recipients also will receive up to $200 (Junior Award) and $400 (Senior Award) of equipment credit from the BioQuip Products catalog, In addition to monetary and BioQuip grants, award recipients will receive a one year subscription to the society journal, The Coleopterists Bulletin.

The objectives of the Youth Incentive Award are to:
 * provide encouragement and assistance to young beetle enthusiasts (grades 7-12).
 * promote the study of beetles, the most diverse group of insects, as a rewarding  lifelong avocation or career.
 * provide opportunities for young people to develop important life skills such as leadership, cooperation, communication, planning and conducting a scientific study, grant writing and managing funds.
 * provide some financial support to enrich activities or projects.

A Youth Incentive Award Committee from the Coleopterists Society will evaluate the applications and will select up to two winners annually; one each in junior (grades 7-9) and senior (grades 10-12) categories.  The selection committee invites proposals for topics such as field collecting trips to conduct beetle species inventories or diversity studies, attending workshops or visiting entomology or natural history museums for special training and projects on beetles, studying aspects of beetle biology, etc.  The proposed activities or projects will be evaluated on their degree of creativity, educational benefit to the applicant, scientific merit, feasibility and budgetary planning.  This Award is for proposals by individuals only.  Each applicant is strongly encouraged to find an adult advisor (teacher, youth group leader, parent, etc.) to provide guidance in proposal development, but the proposal MUST be written by the applicant.  
 
Additional details and application forms for The Coleopterists Society Youth Incentive Award Program can be obtained from: Dr. David G. Furth; Entomology, NHB, MRC 165; P.O. Box 37012; Smithsonian Institution; Washington, D. C. 20013-7012 (phone: 202-633-0990, FAX: 202-786-2894,

Applications for this year must be submitted by November 1, 2011.

StudentSpaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) MISSION 1 to the International Space Station
SSEP is a keystone STEM Education program launched as a U.S. National
initiative in June 2010 by the National Center for Earth and Space Science
Education.
 
Each participating community will be provided an experiment slot in a real microgravity research mini-laboratory scheduled to fly on the International Space Station (ISS) from March 30 to May 16, 2012. An experiment design competition in each community, engaging typically 300 to 1,000 students, allows student teams to design *real* experiments vying for their community's reserved experiment slot on ISS. Additional SSEP programming leverages the flight design competition to engage the community, embracing a Learning Community Model for STEM education.
 
More broadly, SSEP is about a commitment to student ownership in exploration,
to science as journey, and to the joys of learning. For school districts even individual schools. It provides an opportunity to implement a systemic, high caliber, education program that is tailored to a community's strategic needs in STEM education.
 
SSEP missions on STS-134 (Shuttle Endeavour) and STS-135 (Shuttle Atlantis) have recently been completed, with 30,700 students given the opportunity to participate, 1,027 student team proposals received, and 27 SSEP experiments selected and flown, representing the 27 communities that participated in SSEP on the Space Shuttle.
 
For more information visit the website listed above. Proposals are due by November 28, 2011.

High School Public Service Announcement (PSA) Competition
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Working Group (EECWG) invites you and your students to participate in the first annual High School Public Service Announcement (PSA) Competition. In association with Energy Awareness Month in October, EECWG is raising public awareness and educating Alaskans on the value of energy efficiency and conservation.

The top three PSA entries will win prizes: Apple i-products for the students and cash for the classroom for their faculty advisor. The GRAND PRIZE winning entry/entries will air on statewide television.

For the competition, teams of up to three students will produce a 30-second PSA promoting a component or components of efficiently using and conserving energy. All Alaska students, grades 9-12, are eligible to participate. The PSA must be created by the students, without any help, but entries must be submitted through a teacher or staff advisor. For more details vist the website listed above.
 
Entries must be received by 4:00pm on November 30, 2011

Summer of Innovation - Mini-grant Program
The National Space Grant Foundation is working with the NASA Summer of
Innovation office to administer the awarding of approximately 200
mini-grants to community and school based organizations that inspire and
engage middle school students in STEM disciplines during the summer or in
after school programs. Eligible organizations include but are not limited to
Boy Scout troupes, Girl Scout troupes, YMCA programs, science
centers, museums, libraries, school clubs and any other community or school
based organization. The target audience is middle school students and/or
teachers of middle school students especially those involved with underrepresented and
underserved populations. This project is designed to support student
interest in STEM by strengthening the capacity of organizations or schools
that inspire and engage middle school students particularly female,
minority, or high poverty students and enable these previously overlooked
organizations to present Summer of Innovation content and themes in an
efficient and cost effective manner.

The mini-grants will be awarded at about $2,000 - $2,500 per grant. The
awarded organization will be expected to present 6 hours of NASA STEM
content to middle school students or delivery of an educator workshop (for
certified teachers, pre-service teachers, or informal education community)
featuring NASA Summer of Innovation content or themes. They may do this
through modification of an existing event or through planning a new event.
Awards will be made in as geographically diverse manner as possible. The
time line for these activities should be during the summer or early fall
of 2011. Complete details and the application for these grants are located
at http://soi.spacegrant.org There is a very short time line for these

Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest
This annual contest is seeking submissions on the theme of one of Rachel
Carson's books "The Sense of Wonder." Entries must be developed by a
multigenerational team. Teams may submit a poem, an essay, photograph, or a
dance video that captures the sense of
wonder you see, hear, and feel in nature. Submissions are due June 10, 2011.

Smart Gear Competition
World Wildlife Foundation's International Smart Gear Competition brings together the fishing industry, research institutes, universities, and government, to inspire and reward practical, innovative, and cost-effective fishing gear designs that reduce bycatch - the accidental catch and related deaths of sea turtles, birds, marine mammals, cetaceans and nontarget fish species in fishing gear such as longlines and nets. The deadline for entry is August 31, 2011.

Be Big In Your Community Contest
Scholastic's Be Big Fund will help bring to life the winning Big Idea that helps make your community a better place. The deadline for submission is June 17, 2011.

Earth Day Photo Contest
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is holding an Earth Day Photo Contest for students in grades 5- 8. During the week of Earth Day, April 18-29, 2011, take
a photograph of something that is changing in your local environment. Submit the photo and explanation. The deadline for entry is May 13, 2011.

The Arctic: An Ecosystem Expedition Earth Day Contest
Reaping Nature Educational Outreach Foundation invites children 12 and under to enter The Arctic: An Ecosystem Expedition Earth Day Contest. Entries should take us on an expedition to the coldest continent on Earth and include Petunia Garner, Echo the Squirrel, or both characters, in a written, drawn, or photographed format. The
deadline for entry is April 25, 2011.

Grants for Education in Microbial Science
The Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, based at the University of Hawaii, awards grants of up to $1,500 to foster awareness in microbial science. Funds can be used for any project related to microbial science. Any educator within the United States may apply for one of these grants, but preference will be given to public school teachers, nonprofit organizations and first-time applicants. The deadline to apply is May 2, 2011.

AAAS Leadership in Science Education Prize for HS Teachers
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Leadership in Science Education Prize for High School Teachers recognizes high school science teachers for the development and implementation of innovative methods for teaching and encouraging the next generation of scientists. Teachers must be currently employed as a science instructor in a public or private school for grades 9-12 in the United States or its territories. Teachers must be nominated by an administrator within their school, district or state. The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize to support the development and continuation of the strategy, activity or program. Additionally, an announcement will be published in the AAAS website and in Science magazine and the winner will receive a one-year institutional subscription to Science magazine. The deadline to apply is May 27, 2011

K-12: PBS Teachers Innovation Awards
Here's your opportunity to share your innovative learning ideas with fellow PBS Teachers!

Brower Youth Awards
The Earth Island Institute recognizes six young people (ages 13-22) for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and environmental justice advocacy. Application Deadline: May 16

Green Thumb Challenge
GEF is calling on schools and youth groups nationwide to plant 10,000 gardens - the largest youth gardening initiative in history!
The Green Thumb Challenge aims to connect children with nature and the healthy benefits of gardening as part of a nationwide movement to get kids growing. GEF's "turn-key" garden plan provides participants with beginner-friendly resources to plant gardens of any size, as well as fun activities and standards-based lessons linking the classroom to the garden.
Whether sowing seeds during one class period, planting bulbs in one afternoon, or planning an outdoor garden that comes back year after year, you and your students can be part of this exciting event! All participants have an opportunity to be awarded a $5,000 grant in recognition of their garden project. Projects are due September 30, 2011.

Gr 9-12:  ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant
The ACS-Hach High School Chemistry Grant is awarded to high school chemistry teachers seeking funds to support ideas that transform classroom learning, foster student development, and reveal the wonders of chemistry.  Teachers can request up to $1500 for their ideas.  Applications are accepted annually February – April 1.

The ASHG 6th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest
The submission site is now live. You can visit http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday.shtml and click on '6th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest' for the submission link, rules, and more information. Please be reminded that the deadline is March 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM EST.

Apply the Scientific Method to Problem Solving for MS Students
The Christopher Columbus Awards is a national, community-based science and technology program for middle school students. The program challenges students to work in teams of three to four, with an adult coach, to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem. Eight finalist teams and their coaches will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to attend National Championship Week and compete for valuable U.S. Savings Bonds and the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant, plus a $200 development grant to further refine their idea.  The deadline is February 7, 2011.

Gr 9-16: NASA Great Moonbuggy Race
Registration is open for the 18th Annual NASA Great Moonbuggy Race. High school and college students are challenged to design and build a vehicle that addresses a series of engineering problems similar to those faced by the original lunar-roving vehicle team. Each school may enter up to two teams. The race will take place April 1-2, 2011, in Huntsville, Ala., at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.  Teams must register by Feb. 1, 2011.

2011 THACHER ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CONTEST FOR GRADES 9-12
The 2011 Thacher Environmental Research Contest, sponsored by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, challenges high school students (grades 9-12) to conduct innovative research on our changing planet using the latest geospatial tools and data. The best project will receive cash awards in the amount of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place. Individuals or teams of up to four students may submit entries. Winners will also be featured in an Encyclopedia of Earth article. In addition to the student prizes, teachers or adult "coaches" of the first-, second-, and third-place students will receive a $200 Amazon.com gift card. Deadline is April 11, 2011.

U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition
Submissions must be received by April 15.
This is for any student grades 9 – 12 interested in developing a project aimed at enhancing the quality of life through the improvement of water quality, water resource management, or water and wastewater treatment.  
 
All state winners and their teachers will be sponsored to the US competition from June 23-25 in Chicago.  National winners and their teachers will be sponsored for the national competition in Stockholm, Sweden, where some the worlds brightest young scientists meet and share their interest in the environment. Find out more by visiting the website, calling (703) 684-2454 or emailing shunt-cottrell@wef.org.

Galileoscope Observing Contest
Galilesocope users, take note! The National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) and the National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO) announce the opening of three Galileoscope Observing Contests. The contests are open to students in grades 12 and under. There are two categories in each contest: Sketches and Images. The first two targets are the Moon and Jupiter. These contests run through January 21, 2011.

A third contest, "Galileo's Choice" is also now open for observing other objects and concludes in April. NESTA will maintain an ongoing Galileoscope Image Gallery of entries as the contests progress. Prize packages will be awarded by NOAO and will include a number of items such as a book, poster and a planisphere. Winners will receive publicity through the NESTA web site and also have their work published in the Earth Scientist.

GOOGLE Science Fair
On January 11, 2011, the inaugural Google Science Fair will be launched. They have partnered with NASA, CERN, National Geographic, Scientific American and the LEGO Group to create a new STEM competition that is more open, accessible and global than ever before. They are reaching out to educators and extend an invitation to schools and teachers to get involved early in the global competition.  

To sign up for fun and free resource kits for your classroom or school (with bookmarks, stickers, posters and more!) and a reminder notification when GSF registration opens, please visit the Google Science Fair web site.

The Google Science Fair is a global competition that any student aged 13 - 18 from around the world is eligible to enter. Students can enter as individuals or as teams of up to three. There is no entry fee and registration and submission will happen online. The deadline for submissions will be April 4, 2011. The Science Fair will culminate in a “once in a lifetime” celebratory event at Google headquarters in California in July 2011 where finalists will compete for internships, scholarships and prizes in front of a panel of celebrity scientist judges including Nobel Laureates, tech visionaries and household names.

We want to celebrate and champion great young scientific talent and give students from around the world the opportunity to compete for amazing experiences, prizes, scholarships and internships.  We hope you are as excited about this upcoming competition as we are are!

Kevin Czajkowski
Professor
Department of Geography and Planning
The University of Toledo
Toledo, OH 43606
419-530-4274
fax: 419-530-7919
kczajko@utnet.utoledo.edu

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program
Each year, the program honors 50 to 75 seventh-graders who can demonstrate outstanding academic ability, accomplishments outside of the classroom, and significant financial need. The award is extremely competitive, but those selected receive financial support for educational and extracurricular activities, as well as one-on-one help applying to high schools, colleges, summer programs, and more.

Join us online for live information sessions that will give you all the information you’ll need about the application process, Thursday, January 20 and Thursday, February 17 at 7 p.m. EST. Anyone with a computer and a phone will be able to listen in and ask questions. Register for a session at  http://cty.jhu.edu/ts/webinars.html.

Who should participate in these sessions? Parents, students, educators, coaches, youth leaders--anyone interested in applying for the award or who might help an eligible student apply.

2011 scholarship applications will be available in mid-January at: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/young-scholars-program.  Questions? Contact:
Lionel Foster
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
email: jkcinfo@jhu.edu
phone: 410-735-6270

Win the Ultimate School Assembly
Imagine a day of Discovery at your school complete with engaging science demonstrations, hands-on activities and thrilling special surprises. Enter often to improve your chances of winning the Ultimate Cool School Science Day! For your school, sponsored by Siemens.  Entries will accepted through February 24, 2011.  The winner will be announced on or about March 8, 2011.

Young Naturalist Award
The Young Naturalist Awards is an inquiry-based science competition for students in grades 7-12 to promote participation and communication in science.  Students plan and conduct their own scientific investigation, one that will include observations, questions, predictions, trips into the field to gather data, and analysis.  Essays are due March 1, 2011. A panel of judges will review each essay, and twelve winners, two from each grade, will be chosen. Winners will receive cash awards. In May 2011, they will be invited, along with a parent or guardian, on an expense-paid trip to New York City to attend an award ceremony at the Museum.

My Favorite Teacher Contest
"x 11" white paper) sharing how a teacher has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire them. Each entry should be submitted with the entry form and a parent or legal guardian must sign the entry form acknowledging that they have read the Official Contest Rules.

Participating schools will collect the essays and provide them to their local Barnes & Noble store representative. Deadline for entries is Friday, March 18, 2011. Winners are selected, and the local store and community celebrations begin!

NASA Future of Flight Contest
NASA’s Future of Flight Art Contest invites students to imagine what spaceships, rockets or aircraft will look like 100 years from now. High school and college students from all areas of study are encouraged to enter. Artists are encouraged to collaborate with science and engineering students. Any full-time student can enter, regardless of major or area of study. Team entries are accepted, but team size is limited to eight students.

Entries will be accepted in the following categories: two-dimensional art, three-dimensional art, digital (including music and video) and literature (poetry and short stories). Entries will be evaluated on creativity and artistic qualities. Prizes include awards and exhibit opportunities. Entries are due April 15, 2011.

Vernier Software and Technology Awards
Vernier Software & Technology and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) invite educators to submit their creative projects using data collection to teach science topics for the Vernier Software & Technology/NSTA Technology Awards. The awards, valued at $3,000 each, are given to up to seven educators who are judged to have created the best inquiry-based, hands-on learning activities using data-collection technology interfaced with computers, graphing calculators and other handheld devices. Awards are given to one elementary teacher, two middle school teachers, three high school teachers and one college-level educator based on applications. Each award consists of $1,000 in cash, $1,000 inVernier equipment and up to $1,000 toward travel and expenses for attending NSTA's 2011 National Convention. Entries will be judged by a panel of experts, appointed by NSTA. Educators can be nominated or self-nominate for the awards. Deadline: November 30, 2010

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards
The SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards, sponsored by SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Fujifilm, recognize the efforts of K-12 students and teachers who are working to protect and preserve the environment. Awards are $10,000 to benefit existing projects, 100 T-shirts to share with their schools and communities, award trophy, a participation certificate for the project leader and a trip for three students and one adult leader to a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens parks. Eight projects will be chosen. One outstanding environmental educator will receive an additional $5,000, a trip to a SeaWorld or Busch Gardens parks and a trip to the NSTA National Conference.  The deadline to apply is December1, 2010.

K-12:  President's Environmental Youth Awards Program for K-12 Students
Do you know of a student's environmental project that's worthy of national recognition?  Each year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's PEYA program honors environmental projects completed by students between kindergarten and 12th grade.  
 
Winning projects in the past have covered a wide range of subjects that promote environmental stewardship including:
*  Environmental science projects
*  Recycling programs in schools and communities
*  Environmental awareness campaigns
*  Videos, skits, and newsletters that focused on environmental issues
 
Each PEYA applicant receives a signed certificate from the President of the United States. One outstanding project from each EPA region will win a trip to Washington, D.C.  
The deadline for submitting an application is December 31, 2010.  

USA Biology Olympiad for High School Students
As the premiere biology competition for high school students in the United States, the USA Biology Olympiad enriches the life sciences education of nearly 10,000 talented students annually. It provides the motivation, curricular resources, and skills training to take them beyond their classroom experience to the level of international competitiveness. After two rounds of challenging exams, twenty Finalists are invited to a residential training program where they learn advanced biological concepts and exacting lab skills at a major research university. Ultimately, four students earn the right to represent the USA at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), a worldwide competition involving student teams from roughly sixty countries.  Since CEE began administering the USABO, every member of "Team USA" has received a medal at the IBO. All four members of the teams from 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009 won gold medals.  The deadline to register is February 4, 2011.

Toyota Tapestry Grants
Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program, the largest science teacher grant program of its kind in the nation, is now accepting entries for the 2011–2012 program year.
 
Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, (TMS) U.S.A., Inc., and administered by NSTA, the program offers $10,000 grants to K–12 teachers for innovative science projects that enhance environmental science education in their school and/or district over a one-year period.
 
Fifty $10,000 grants totaling $500,000 will be awarded this year. Applicants must either be an elementary teacher who teaches science in the classroom or a middle or high school science teacher, with a minimum of two years teaching experience. Individual science teachers or a team of up to five teachers can submit proposals.
 
Since the program's inception in 1990, Toyota TAPESTRY grants totaling more than $9.2 million have been awarded to science teachers across the country.
 
Applications must be submitted no later than February 23, 2011, to be considered.

NASA and Optimus Prime Collaborate on Video Contest
NASA is teaming up with Hasbro to present the Optimus Prime Spinoff Award Contest. Featuring Optimus Prime, the leader of the popular TRANSFORMERS brand, the contest highlights spinoffs from NASA technologies that are used on Earth. The goal is to help students understand that NASA technology "transforms" into things that are used daily. These "transformed" technologies include water purifiers, medical imaging software, or fabric that protects against UV rays.
 
The Optimus Prime Spinoff Award Contest is a video contest for students in grades 3-8. Each student, or group of students, will submit a three- to five-minute video on a selected NASA spinoff technology listed in the 2009 Spinoff publication. Videos must demonstrate an understanding of the NASA spinoff technology and the associated NASA mission, as well as the commercial application and public benefit associated with the "transformed" technology.
 
Participants must register for the contest by Nov. 12, 2010. Video entries are due Dec. 31, 2010.

Video entries will be posted on the NASA YouTube channel, and the public will be responsible for the first round of judging. The top five submissions from each of the two grade groups (3-5 and 6-8) will advance for final judging. A NASA panel will select a winning entry from each group, and the students will receive a glass Optimus Prime Spinoff Award at the Space Foundation's National Space Symposium in 2011. The innovators of the NASA technology highlighted in the winning videos also will receive trophies, along with their commercial partners.
 
Questions about this contest should be directed to Darryl Mitchell at Darryl.R.Mitchell@nasa.gov

Gr 7-12:  2011 Team America Rocketry Challenge
Registration is open for the Team America Rocketry Challenge 2011, a national model rocket competition. Thousands of students compete each year, making TARC the world's largest model rocket contest.  Teams of three to 10 students are challenged to design, build and fly a model rocket that will climb to 750 feet with a raw egg payload and stay aloft for 40 to 45 seconds. The payload must then return to earth unbroken.
 
Cash prizes are awarded to the top finishers. NASA invites top teams to participate in their Student Launch Initiative, an advanced rocketry program.  Participation is limited to the first 750 teams who register by November 30, 2010.

K-6:  Apply for the Find Your Footprint Grant
Teachers, get your students involved and enter your classroom's idea for a chance to win awesome prizes for your school and classroom. Entries must be received by December 3, 2010. Put your creativity into action now!

Gr 9-12: Let's Get To Mars By 2030! (It's Closer than you Think!)
Mars Education Challenge asks high school science educators to develop and submit ingenious ways to fit Mars science and exploration into their classroom lessons.  Check out the URL above, and learn how you can apply to participate in the Mars Education Challenge, and through your participation help your students learn about a human space program that is going somewhere!
 
The Challenge will recognize six winning curricula entries with five regional awards and one national award. Regional winners will receive $2,500 grants and the national winner will receive a $5,000 grant. Additionally, all of the winners will have an opportunity to do field research with well-known planetary scientists. The national winner will receive an expense paid trip to NSTA's 2011 National Conference on Science Education in San Francisco where he or she will be recognized at a special awards ceremony. Winning lesson plans will be shared with classrooms nationwide.  
Curricula submissions are due by January 5, 2011.

The Big Help Grant Program
Throughout 2010, Nickelodeon will award one million dollars in grants to schools and community organizations enabling kids around the United States to achieve the goal of a million acts of help. The Big Help Grant Program will support projects that inspire kids to take care of the environment; lead active, healthy lives; engage in community service; or improve their educational experience. Elementary and middle schools, and after-school community-based organizations can apply for one of two funding opportunities: a $2,500 grant; or a $5,000 matching grant.

Middle School Science Students Science Fairs and Research Projects
The Broadcom Foundation has signed on with the Society for Science and the Public in a six-year, $6 million partnership to launch a new national middle school competition focusing on science, technology, engineering and math. The Broadcom MASTERS will target students in grades 6–8 with science fair and research activities. In the program's first year, the two organizations expect that 7,500 American middle school students will be nominated from 350 science fairs and programs across the country. Judges will choose 300 semifinalists and 30 finalists to compete for regional and national recognition. Finalists will meet in Washington, D.C. in fall 2011 for a week of conducting projects together, visiting significant scientific sites and judging. A top winner will receive a $25,000 education fund.

Real World-InWorld NASA Engineering Design Challenge Phase 1: For High School Students and Teachers
The "RealWorld-InWorld NASA Engineering Design Challenge" encourages students to explore and build skills necessary for STEM careers through two phases of project-based learning and team competition.  In Phase 1, teams work cooperatively as engineers and scientists to explore and design solutions for one of two real-world problems related to the James Webb Space Telescope. In Phase 2, groups will work in a 3D virtual environment using 21st Century tools to refine designs and create 3D models of the Webb telescope. Deadline for Phase 1 is Dec. 15.

Find Your Footprint for K-6 Schools
Here's an opportunity to introduce environmental education into your elementary school.  The Find Your Footprint national classroom conservation contest is offering the classroom with the best idea approximately $36,600 in in-kind donations to involve their whole school. A lesson plan is provided that has questions to guide applicants in the creation of a proposal and identify their school's "footprint". The process has several steps. Here are several steps:
•Pick a theme - Save Water, Reduce Waste, or Save Energy - that your class would like to ad-dress. Choose the theme upon which your class can have the greatest impact.
•Write a short description of your proposal.  Illustrate your proposal, using one of the following formats: a photograph, a poster, a video, OR an essay.
•Complete an online entry form
Entries must be received by December 3, 2010.

NASA's 2nd Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge
NASA is inviting students in grades 5-8 to participate in the 2nd Waste Limitation Management and Recycling Design Challenge. The challenge uses real-world scenarios that meet science and mathematics content standards. Students can participate in a formal, informal or home-school setting. Teams of up to six students will design a water recycling system for the unique environment of the moon. Teams will then test their system on a simulated wastewater stream. Proposals and results are due Feb. 28, 2011. The winning teams will be announced in May 2011. The top three teams will receive awards. The first place team will receive an expense-paid trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During the winning team's visit to Kennedy, students will gain firsthand knowledge about NASA's missions, receive behind-the scenes tours of NASA's launch facilities, and learn about future aerospace and engineering careers. Questions should be directed to Jay Garland at jay.l.garland@nasa.gov.

Rubberband Contest
Are you ready to stretch your imagination? The Akron Global Polymer Academy of The University of Akron is hosting the third annual Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors to encourage students in grades 5–8 to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporates the use of rubber bands.
 
February 16, 2011 - Entry Deadline (All entries must be received at the Akron Global Polymer Academy no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on this day).

There will be two separate divisions of competition—Arts & Leisure and Science & Engineering. Four finalists will be brought to Akron, Ohio, where the first place winner and runner-up in each division, will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 14, 2011.
 
The first place winner in each division will receive a $1,000 savings bond, while the runner-up in each division will receive a $500 savings bond, respectively. The top eight semifinalists who are not chosen as finalists will each receive a $50 gift card. The top four schools with the most entries will each receive a $250 donation.

Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
Earlier this month, NSTA, the Siemens Foundation, and Discovery Education announced the kick-off of the third annual Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, a program that educates, empowers and engages students and teachers nationwide to become "Agents of Change" in identifying and solving environmental problems. The third year of this national sustainability challenge—now expanded to include high school students—encourages all students, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, to team up with their classmates to create replicable solutions to environmental issues in their schools (grades K–5), community (grades 6–8) and world (grades 9–12).
 
Student and teacher/mentor prizes, which vary according to grade level, include savings bonds, school grants, exciting trips and much more. The deadline for all entries is March 15, 2011. Finalists and winners will be announced in April 2011 and the national winners will be announced in May 2011.
 
Gr 9-12: 6th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest has launched 
The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) invites you to participate in the 6th Annual DNA Day Essay Contest!  Deadline: March 7, 2011 at 5:00 PM EST

2011 Essay questions:
 
Option 1: In 2010, a major discovery in genetics research found that the DNA of some modern humans contains small amounts of Neanderthal DNA. Briefly explain this finding and discuss its relevance to human ancestry and evolution.
 
Option 2: A number of companies offer genetic testing directly to consumers, bypassing the involvement of physicians and genetic counselors. Discuss whether you think this is a good idea or not. You might focus on medical, ethical, legal, or social dimensions of this issue.
 
A 1st, 2nd, 3rd place will be chosen for each question. Winning students will receive:
* 1st Place Winners: $400.00 + Teacher receive a $2,000 grant for laboratory genetics equipment
* 2nd Place Winners: $250.00
* 3rd Place Winners: $150.00
 
Please expect a reminder in January 2011 when the submission site is live.  Questions? Please email Angie Wong (awong@ashg.org)

The Captain Planet Foundation Environmental Education Grants
The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to fund and support
hands-on, environmental projects for children and youths. Their objective is
to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the
world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems
in their neighborhoods and communities.  Their premise is that through
environmental education, children can achieve a better understanding and
appreciation for the world in which they live.

 Grants from the Captain Planet Foundation range from $250 - $2,500, and
should meet the following guidelines:

 All proposed projects must:
 * Promote understanding of environmental issues
 * Focus on hands-on involvement
 * Involve children and young adults 6-18 (elementary through high school)
 * Promote interaction and cooperation within the group
 * Help young people develop planning and problem solving skills
 * Include adult supervision
 * Commit to follow-up communication with the Foundation

Deadlines for submitting grant applications are March 31, June 30, September
30, and December 31. Grant Proposals are reviewed over a period of three
months from the date of the submission deadline. All applicants will be
informed of their proposal's status within four months of the application
deadline. It is very important to remember this information if your project
is seasonal. For example, if you are seeking funding for a summer project
you would want to submit an application no later than the December 31st
deadline in the year prior, otherwise you will not have your grant money in
time for the project.

 In 2009, CPF funded 76 hands-on, environmental education projects, and
grantees established 34 outdoor classrooms and organic gardens including
pollinator gardens, native habitats and fruit, herb and vegetable gardens.
Consider submitting your own proposal this year!

Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grant Program
Lowe¹s Toolbox for Education is a grant program that provides parent groups
with financial tools to help improve their children¹s schools. Grant awards
of up to $5,000 support school improvement projects at public schools
nationwide. The deadline for submitting applications for this grant cycle is
October 15, 2010. However, if 1500 applications are received before the
application deadline, then the application process will close. For more
information about how to apply, go to the program's website.

Pollinator Garden Grants Up to $500
In 2010, Project Learning Tree and the USDA Forest Service are offering
grants to teachers and students participating in Pollinator LIVE: A Distance
Learning Adventure. Participating teachers can apply for GreenWorks! funding
to create pollinator gardens in their schoolyard or community.  The maximum
grant amount is $500, and the deadline to apply is December 1st, 2010.  

ExploraVision Competition for K­12 Students Opens Registration
September 15 marks the kickoff of the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision
Competition, celebrating its 19th year. Designed for K­12 students of all
interest, skill and ability levels, ExploraVision encourages its
participants to create and explore a vision of future technology by
developing new ways to apply current science. To view the application and
read about past winning teams, go to www.exploravision.org. For more
information, contact us at 1-800-EXPLOR9 or e-mail us at
exploravision@nsta.org.

2010 Cassini Scientist for a Day Essay Contest
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA
scientists studying Saturn. Participants examine three possible observations
taken by Cassini and choose the one they think will yield the best
scientific results. This choice must then be supported in a 500-word essay.
Teaming up is encouraged. Winners will participate in a teleconference with
Cassini scientists. The contest is open to all students in the United
States from grades 5-12, working alone or in groups of up to four students.
The essays will be divided into three groups: grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. All
submissions must be the students' original work. Each student can submit only one entry.

Deadline for Fall 2010 submissions is noon Pacific time (3 p.m. EDT) on Oct.
27, 2010.  If you have questions about this contest, please e-mail your
inquiries to scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov.

2010 IGES Art Contest for Grades 2-4
An art contest for grades 2-4 invites young scientists and artists to
explore the solar system and beyond, and then draw a picture showing what
they learned.

"My Place in Space!" is the 15th annual art contest held by the Institute
for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Arlington, Va. The contest
supports national education standards for grades K-4.

The first-, second- and third-place artists will receive $100, $75 and $50
Visa gift cards, respectively, framed color certificates, and their artwork
will be showcased on IGES's Web site. For all entrants, certificates of
participation will be available online as PDF files for teachers and parents
to download and print. Entries are due Nov. 1, 2010.

For more information, including detailed contest instructions, information
for teachers and parents, a list of educational resources, and to view
artwork of past winners, please visit our web site!

DIME and WING Student Team Competitions
NASA is hosting two national science competitions that challenge student
teams to develop and prepare a microgravity experiment. Dropping in a
Microgravity Environment (DIME) and What If No Gravity (WING) are components
of a NSTA competition program that allows student teams to design and build
a science experiment, which will then be operated in a NASA microgravity
drop tower facility. This program is a project-oriented activity that lasts
one school year for the selected teams. A DIME team will be comprised of
high-school-aged students while a WING team will be comprised of students in
grades 6­9.

Teams interested in competing will develop an experiment concept, write a
proposal for an experiment, and submit the proposal to NASA.
Proposals are due November 1. A panel of NASA scientists and engineers will
evaluate and select the top-ranked proposals by Dec. 1. The winning teams
then will design and build the experiments that will be conducted in the
2.2-Second Drop Tower at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. When an
experiment is ³dropped² into the 79-foot tower, it experiences
weightlessness, or microgravity, for 2.2 seconds. Researchers from around
the world use this tower to study the effects of microgravity on physical
phenomena such as combustion and fluid dynamics, and to develop new
technology for future space missions.
For more information about entering NASA's DIME and WING student team competitions, visit the NASA website.

The Internet Science and Technology Fair
At a time when costs for science education programs and competitions are
escalating, the Internet Science and Technology Fair continues to be offered
to teachers of middle school through high school students at no charge.  It
may be used to augment existing curricula by bringing relevance to theory
while adhering to guidelines based on national science standards.  It may
also be used as an after-school STEM education program to afford student
teams needed experience in problem solving, teaming, communication and
reading/writing skills necessary for their continuing education.

 Throughout the experience, students develop important IT skills such as
information acquisition, management and web-based presentation. The 14th
annual ISTF competition officially starts in September 2010.

Disney¹s Planet Challenge
This is a free project-based environmental and science competition for
classrooms nationwide. Formerly open to 4th through 6th grade classrooms,
Disney¹s Planet Challenge is being expanded to include two tracks: one for
elementary schools grades 3­5, and another for middle schools grades 6­8.
The middle school curriculum will offer an increased focus on STEM (science,
technology, engineering and math) education.

Developed in collaboration with NSTA and the K­12 Alliance, the Challenge
offers students the chance to use their imagination and creativity to help
the planet while giving educators a fresh new way to motivate students with
the help of an educationally sound curriculum that meets national and state
guideline requirements.

The national grand prize winning elementary school class will enjoy a
celebration at Disneyland® Resort while middle school national winners will
earn a $20,000 grant for their school. Both grand prize­winning classrooms
will be illustrated and appear within a Marvel comic book. Winning teachers
will receive a one year NSTA membership. The grand-prize winning educators
will also receive an expense-paid trip to the national 2012 NSTA conference
where they will be recognized at the NSTA awards banquet.

For more information or to enroll in the program, visit
www.Disney.com/planetchallenge. Enrollment is open through December 17,

Healthy Sprouts Award Grant
The National Gardening Association and Subaru, present the 2010 Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award.  The 2010 Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award is aimed at supporting schools or organizations who plan to garden in 2011 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and education related to environmental, nutrition and hunger issues in the United States.  A total of 30 awards will be made. Prizes include a $500 gift certificate to the Gardening with Kids catalog and online store for basic youth gardening supplies and supporting educational materials; National Gardening Association's Eat a Rainbow Kit which includes nutrition lessons and education; and a literature package from the National Gardening Association.  The deadline to apply is October 1, 2010.

Classroom Herb Garden Grant
Four classrooms will be selected by The Herb Society of America to receive $200 to establish an outdoor herb garden. The funds may be used for soil, plant trays, containers, youth-sized tools, and more. Eligible recipients include teachers of grades 3-6 who have at least 15 students in their class. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2010.

Call for High School Teachers and Their Student Teams to Compete in the Real World Design Challenge
High school teachers with an interest in engaging grades 9–12 students might consider an annual competition called the Real World Design Challenge. This is an opportunity for students to apply classroom lessons to real-life technical problems. In support of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the Challenge asks student teams to develop solutions to address a leading industry problem. This year, the 2010–2011 Challenge focuses on fuel efficiency in aviation. Student teams compete on a state level and winning state teams will advance to compete nationally.
 
Teacher/coaches who lead their teams and professional scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who volunteer as mentors are an integral part of the Challenge. Sponsors will donate $1 million in professional engineering software to teacher/coaches and provide training so they can better utilize and apply the tools to teach design and global engineering. Mentors provide guidance to students and support teachers with content knowledge and experiences that can supplement the teacher’s expertise. Top national winners will receive outstanding prizes, awards, and recognition from leaders in government, industry, and higher education. Registration for the free competition is open. Visit www.realworlddesignchallenge.org for details.

Gr K-8: The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
As you are planning for the next school year, please consider entering your students in this challenge opportunity! The Siemens Challenge offers a unique way for teams of students in K-2, 3-5, and/or 6-8 to create sustainable local solutions that can have global impact.
 
It’s the first and only national sustainability education initiative aligned to national standards and classroom objectives. Other unique features include:
 
Applications are being accepted for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge from August 17, 2010 through March 15, 2011.

International Youth Art Competition Accepting Submissions
Submissions must be received by Sept. 30, 2010
In April 2011, experts from around the world will gather in Houston for the International Academy of Astronautics Humans in Space Symposium. As part of this event, students ages 10-17 are invited to express their ideas about the future of human space exploration through visual, literary, musical or digital art. Artwork submissions will be judged on creativity, skill, and demonstration of meaning relevant to expressing “What is the future of human space exploration, and why is it important?” Bonus points will be awarded for artwork that does not break obvious scientific principles. Winning art will be displayed in an online gallery, and winners will be invited to attend the symposium in person.. For additional information visit: http://www.humansinspaceart.org

Grants from the Captain Planet Foundation
The Captain Planet Foundation, funds and supports hands-on environmental projects for children and youths ages 6-18. Its objective is to encourage innovative programs that empower children and youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Grant amounts range from $250 to $2,500. Deadlines for submitting grant applications are September 30, and December 31. For more information, visit the Captain Planet Foundation website at: http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html

2010 CASSINI SCIENTIST FOR A DAY ESSAY CONTEST FOR GRADES 5-12 (Entries due Oct. 27, 3:00 p.m. Eastern.)
The Cassini Scientist for a Day contest challenges students to become NASA scientists studying Saturn. Participants examine three target images taken by the Cassini spacecraft and choose the one they think will yield the best results. This choice must be supported in a 500-word essay. Teaming up is encouraged. Winners will participate in a teleconference with Cassini scientists.
 
The contest is open to all students in the U.S. in grades 5-12, working alone or in groups of up to four students. The essays will be divided into three groups: grades 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12. All submissions must be students’ original work. Each student can submit only one entry.
 
For more information, visit: http://saturn.jpl.nasa/gov/scientistforaday. If you have questions about this contest, please e-mail your inquiries to scientistforaday@jpl.nasa.gov.

eCYBERMISSION Competition
Sponsored by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, students form teams of three to four students, from the same grade and region. Each team is led by one adult Team Advisor. The team identifies a problem in their community, and uses the scientific method to research, hypothesize, experiment, draw conclusions and then propose a solution to that problem.
  
The competition encourages and rewards students from a diverse range of proficiency levels, interests and backgrounds, while teaching students that team work, innovation, creativity and the real-life applications of STEM education can have a positive impact on their communities, and their future. Students on winning teams have the opportunity to win up to $8,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds.  
  
Registration for the 2010-2011 eCYBERMISSION competition opened on August 1, 2010. Students and Team Advisors can register through our web site at www.ecybermission.com <http://www.ecybermission.com> . Upon registration, teams receive an eCYBERMISSION regional point of contact, who helps guide them through the registration process, the competition and ultimately, project submission.

From the NSTA Calendar: Trash to Treasure Competition

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Design Squad, a PBS KIDS GO! television series, is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition. The contest challenges kids ages 5–19 from across the United States to recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions. Students’ inventions should

Move things or people;
Protect the environment; or
Be used for indoor or outdoor play.

Twenty-five finalists will be featured on the Design Squad website. Three grand-prize winners will go to Boston to see their designs built and appear on the program and its website. Contestants must register online by September 5.

Design Squad Engineering Competition on PBS
Design Squad, PBS' engineering reality competition series, has a new Teacher's Guide. Order your free! copy today!  Developed for middle school science and technology teachers, Design Squad's latest guide blends hands-on engineering challenges with 3 core science concepts:
Force - students build their own blimp
Electricity - students design electronic games
Sound - students make and play instruments
The challenges use low cost, readily available materials and are linked to national science and technology standards.