Awards

Following are application deadlines for awards, honors, and contests available to teachers. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.

April 19 WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Solid Waste Association of North America sponsors Excellence in Solid Waste Education Awards, which recognize extraordinary efforts in educating the public on solid waste-related issues. Two awards are given, one for a K-12 curriculum and one for a public education program. Entries are judged on technical accuracy, educational goals, quality of design and communications, program evaluation, and originality. Contact: Solid Waste Association of North America, P.O. Box 7219, Silver Spring, MD 20907; (301) 585-2898; www.swana.org.

April 29 EDUCATION LEADERS
Northern Life Insurance Co. and ReliaStar seek applicants for Education’s Unsung Heroes Awards. Full-time K-12 educators, paraprofessionals, and school staff who have initiated effective teaching programs are eligible. One hundred finalists win $2,000 to further their projects. Three grand-prize winners receive an additional $25,000, $10,000, or $5,000 for their projects. Contact: Kathy Walton, Education’s Unsung Heroes Awards, Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America, 1505 Riverview Rd., P.O. Box 297, St. Peter, MN 56082; (800) 426-7050; www.unsungheroes.com.

April 30 SOCIAL STUDIES
The National Council for the Social Studies honors outstanding social studies programs through the Social Studies Programs of Excellence Award. Programs must be nominated through state councils for the social studies. Awards are given in three grade categories: K-6, 5-9, and 9-12. Winners receive a commemorative gift for their school, teacher certificates, and the opportunity to present at the NCSS annual conference. Because state deadlines vary, applicants should contact their state council award coordinator for details. Contact: Ana Post, Manager of Recognition Programs and Special Projects, NCSS, 3501 Newark St. N.W., Washington, DC 20016-3167; (800) 296-7840, ext. 114; e-mail apost@ncss.org; www.socialstudies.org /awards/curriculum.html.

May 1 SCIENCE
The American Honda Foundation announces a grant program for national organizations working in areas of youth and scientific education, including public and private elementary and secondary schools. Scientific education encompasses the physical and life sciences, mathematics, and technology. Winners are selected based on an application, grant proposal, and supporting documentation. To be eligible, organizations must not receive funding from religious, fraternal, or veterans’ organizations, labor groups, or beauty and talent contests. The number of grants awarded depends on the availability of funds. Grants range from $10,000 to $75,000 and are not given to individuals. Contact: Kathryn Carey, 1919 Torrance Blvd., 100-1 W- 5A, Torrance, CA 90501; (310) 781-4090; fax (310) 781-4270.

May 15 HISTORY

The History Channel presents the Award for Outstanding Contribution in History Education to a teacher who has demonstrated exceptional service to and participation in the National History Day program. One winner receives $3,000, a history video library, and a television and VCR for classroom use. Criteria include success in involving students in the program, interest in professional development, and service to both the National History Day program and the field of history. For more information, contact: History Channel Award, National History Day, 0119 Cecil Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742; (301) 314-9739; www.thehistorynet.com.

May 19 AEROSPACE
The Christa McAuliffe Memorial Award, offered by the Aerospace Education Foundation, honors one public, private, or parochial K-12 teacher who demonstrates excellence in furthering the concepts of aerospace technologies in the classroom through successful, innovative classroom programs. The award includes a $1,000 stipend and a trip to Washington, D.C., to be recognized at the Air Force Association National Convention. Applicants must have a letter of endorsement by an AFA sponsor and a letter of support from their administration. Contact: Aerospace Education Foundation, 1501 Lee Hwy., Arlington, VA 22209; (800) 291-8480; fax (703) 247-5853; e-mail AEFstaff@aef.org; www.aef.org/awards/christa.html.

May 26 FOREIGN LANGUAGES
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages asks national, state, and regional members to nominate educators for its Florence Steiner Award for Leadership in Foreign Language Education. Nominees must be K- 12 foreign language teachers or administrators with a minimum of five years’ teaching experience. They must also be members of the council with at least three years’ standing, and they must spend at least half of each school year teaching a foreign language. Contact: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, 6 Executive Plaza, Yonkers, NY 10701-6801; (914) 963-8830, ext. 227; www.actfl.org.

*June 1 EARLY CHILDHOOD
Scholastic announces its Early Childhood Professional Awards for professionals using creativity and innovation to help young children develop and learn. Parents nominate teachers in six categories: infant teacher, toddler teacher, preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, family child-care provider, and director. A panel of early development experts and respected advisers from the field selects the finalists. The grand-prize winners are honored at the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference. Prizes include round-trip tickets to attend, $2,000 worth of Scholastic products, and a feature story in Early Childhood Today. Contact: Scholastic Inc., Early Childhood Today magazine, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012; (212) 343-4559; e-mail scholawards@scholastic.com; www.scholastic.com/parentandchild.

*June 1 FIRE PROTECTION
The National Fire Protection Association and the family of Rhea Reiss, a longtime advocate for fire safety education, seek nominations for the fifth annual NFPA Teacher of the Year Award. Full- or part-time classroom teachers or day-care providers in public, private, or parochial school systems that have used the NFPA’s Risk Watch and/or Learn Not to Burn educational materials are eligible. One grand-prize winner and the individual who nominates him or her receive educational materials and an expenses-paid trip to the NFPA’s fall conference in Dallas. For more information, contact: Amy Shadrick, NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269; (617) 984-7285; e-mail ashadrick@nfpa.org; www.nfpa.org.

*June 1 SOCIAL STUDIES
The National Council for the Social Studies announces two research-based awards. The Exemplary Research in Social Studies Award acknowledges and encourages scholarly inquiry into significant issues and possibilities for social studies education. Eligible research must have been published between June 2000 and May 2001 and satisfy a number of other criteria. The Jean Dresden Grambs Distinguished Career Research in Social Studies Award recognizes professionals who have made extensive contributions to knowledge in significant areas of social studies education through meritorious research. The award for each includes a commemorative gift, annual conference presentation session, and publicity. Contact: NCSS, 3501 Newark St. N.W., Washington, DC 20016-3167; (800) 296-7840, ext. 114; e-mail apost@ncss.org; www.ncss.org/awards/home.html.

*June 30 OUTSTANDING TEACHERS
USA Today seeks nominations for the All-USA Teacher Team. The 20 teachers chosen for the First Team are featured in the newspaper and receive trophies; their schools get $2,500. Second and Third Team teachers are also named. All nominees must be certified K-12 teachers in the 2000-01 school year, have four years of full-time teaching experience, and meet other criteria. Self- nominations are not accepted. Contact: Carol Skalski, USA Today, 1000 Wilson Blvd., 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22229; (800) 872-2216; www.usatoday.com/life/academic/2001/tintro.htm.

—Marisha Goldhamer

Vol. 12, Issue 7, Pages 54-56