MSP:MiddleSchoolPortal/Teacher Opportunities
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Grants
American Honda Foundation Grants
Deadline: Annually at February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1
Information: http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf
The foundation awards grants of $20,000 to $75,000 to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, and others for programs benefiting youth and scientific education - the physical and life sciences, mathematics, and the environmental sciences. Programs characterized as scientific, dreamful (imaginative), creative, humanistic, youthful, innovative, and forward thinking will receive preference.
SPIE Education Outreach Grants
Deadline: May 31, 2012
Information: http://spie.org/x36692.xml
SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics (the science and application of light) provides support for optics and photonics related education outreach projects. The award process is competitive; applications are judged on their potential to impact students and increase optics awareness. The key criterion in evaluation and ranking applications is the potential to impact students and to increase optics and photonics awareness. Qualifying not-for-profit organizations such as universities, optics centers, science centers, primary and secondary schools, youth clubs, industry associations and international optical societies are eligible for project support.
NEA Foundation Learning and Leadership Grants
Deadline: June 1, 2012
Information: http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/grant-application/learning-and-leadership/
These National Education Association (NEA) grants support K-12 public school teachers, public education support professionals, or faculty and staff in public institutions of higher education for one of two purposes. Grants to individuals fund participation in high-quality professional development experiences, such as summer institutes or action research. Grants to groups fund collegial study, including study groups, action research, lesson study, or mentoring experiences for faculty or staff new to an assignment. Maximum award is $5,000.
NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants
Deadline: June 1, 2012
Information: http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/grant-application/student-achievement-grants
The foundation provides grants of $5,000 to increase student academic achievement in any subject area in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions. The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving to deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. the work should also improve students' habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, Advanced Placement, or other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. Practicing U.S. public school teachers, public school education support professionals, and faculty and staff members at public institutions of higher education may apply.
ADC Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Information: http://www.adc.com/Americas/en_US/1270773546979
The ADC Foundation makes direct grants to two strategic focus areas: mathematics and science education, and nonprofit access to technology. Although the Foundation will continue to match ADC employee gifts to a wide spectrum of types of nonprofits and causes, the foundation will consider grant requests only in the following two areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and Access to Technology.
Boeing Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Information: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/community/network.html
Grants promote the development of quality learning environments in the areas of math, science, and literacy, which are necessary for future success in the workforce and life.
Digital Wish
Deadline: Ongoing
Information: http://digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/grants
Digital wish is dedicated to helping schools gain technology access across all subject areas.
DuPont Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Information: http://www2.dupont.com/Social_Commitment/en_US/educational/index.html
DuPont supports programs and initiatives with the potential to demonstrate improved and sustainable outcomes, primarily in mathematics, science, and technology education. CCRE uses a comprehensive set of guidelines to access the merits of all programs under consideration. DuPont does not fund curriculum development or assessment, capital campaigns, or endowments.
Hewlett Foundation
Deadline: Ongoing
Information: http://www.hewlett.org/grantseekers
The Hewlett Foundation makes grants in six core program areas: education, environment, global development, performing arts, philanthropy, and population. In addition, the Foundation makes grants to support disadvantaged communities in the Bay Area. The Foundation’s grants are awarded solely for charitable purposes.
Captain Planet Foundation Grants
Deadlines: Annually at May 31, September 31, December 31.
Information: http://captainplanetfoundation.org/default.aspx?pid=3&tab=apply
The Captain Planet Foundation primarily makes grants to U.S.-based schools and organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $3 million.
Grants are made for activities that conform to the mission of the Captain Planet Foundation which is to: promote and support high-quality educational programs that enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world through learning experiences that engage them in active, hands-on projects to improve the environment in their schools and communities.
Grants from the Captain Planet Foundation are intended to:
- serve as a catalyst to getting environment-based education in schools, and
- inspire youth and communities to participate in community service through environmental stewardship activities.
CPF grants are limited to $2,500 and preferential consideration is given to applicants who have secured at least 50% matching or in-kind funding for their program.
National Weather Association Sol Hirsch Education Fund Grant
Deadline: June 1, 2012
Information: http://www.nwas.org/grants/solhirsch.php
K-12 educators who teach students or community members about meteorology are invited to apply for a grant of $750 to purchase scientific materials and equipment for the classroom, school, or community; establish or enhance school or community meteorology education programs; or attend accredited meteorology-related courses, workshops, or conferences. Up to seven grants will be awarded. Grants are awarded based on need, impact of the funding, and the proposal's likelihood of success.
NEA Foundation-Nickelodeon Big Help Grants
Deadline: Annually, February 1, June 1, and October 15
Information: http://www.neafoundation.org/pages/educators/grant-programs/nea-foundation-green-grants
The Big Help Grants program invites K-8 public school educators to apply for student achievement grants of up to USD 5,000. The program is dedicated to the development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches for addressing four key concerns: environmental awareness, health and wellness, students' right to a quality public education, and active community involvement. Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, advanced placement, or other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. Practicing U.S. public school teachers, public school education support professionals, and faculty and staff members at public institutions of higher education may apply.
Pets in the Classroom
Deadline: June 30, 2012
Information: http://www.petsintheclassroom.org/
Pets in the Classroom provides classroom grants to teachers who would like to have mammal or fish pets in their classrooms. In addition to the grant program, Pets in the Classroom offers some good suggestions about creating pet-centered lessons for elementary school students. Even if you do not have a classroom pet you can still utilize some of the lesson ideas in your classroom.
Teacher Opportunities
STEM Innovative Educator Awards
Deadline: May 31, 2012
Information: http://stemie.mcgraw-hill.com/
McGraw-Hill Education is sponsoring these awards to recognize K-12 teachers who are finding innovative ways to reach today's students. The awards, known as the STEMIEs, will acknowledge teachers who are pioneering effective techniques to engage their students in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). McGraw-Hill will award $25,000 in cash and prizes to contest winners.
John H. Lounsbury Award
Deadline to nominate: June 1, 2012
Information: http://www.amle.org/AboutNMSA/Awards/JohnHLounsburyAward/tabid/382/Default.aspx
The John H. Lounsbury Award for Distinguished Service is the highest award given by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). This award is given only when an individual has demonstrated a level of service, integrity, and leadership in middle level education that warrants this special recognition. As a result, this award is not necessarily presented annually.
Viable candidates for this award
- have made a global impact on middle level education.
- have a minimum of ten years of actively demonstrated, distinguished service and a reputation as a national and global education leader.
- have demonstrated scholarship of the highest level in professional writing and research.
- have maintained dedicated service to middle level education beyond the local, state, or regional level.
- should be known as a person of high personal ethics, reflecting a model of exemplary behavior and reputation associated with the spirit of the award.
ASCD's Outstanding Young Educator Award
Deadline: August 1, 2012
Information: http://www.ascd.org/programs/Outstanding-Young-Educator-Award/Outstanding-Young-Educator-Award-Program.aspx
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) seeks nominations for its award recognizing a full-time preK-12 educator age 40 or younger who demonstrates excellence in his or her profession, a positive impact on students, creativity in the classroom, and leadership in his or her school or district. The winner will receive a $10,000 check; honorees will receive $500 checks. Prizes also include ASCD memberships and funds for travel to the association's conference next March.
Investigating Birds: Supporting Student Inquiry
Deadline: June 15, 2012
Information: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/birdsleuth/inquiry-resources/supporting-student-inquiry/application
In the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "Investigating Birds" online course, teachers will conduct their own investigations, have a chance to try lessons and resources that they can use with their students, and get feedback on their ideas for implementation in their classrooms. The online course runs from June 25 to July 30, 2012. Cost for the course is $350 and an additional $10 for four optional CEU credits from Cornell.
President's Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Primary and Secondary Education
Deadline: July 1, 2012
Information: http://www.entsoc.org/awards/professional/educational
Funded by the Entomological Society of America (ESA), these awards recognize educators who have gone beyond the traditional teaching methods by using insects as educational tools. One winner will be chosen from among primary teachers (grades K-6) and one from among secondary teachers (grades 7-12). Honorees will receive a $400 donation, made payable to their school; a $400 award toward travel to present a paper or poster at a peer professional venue of their choosing; gratis registration to attend ESA's annual meeting, and an $800 award to cover travel and other expenses to attend the ESA meeting.
American Home Energy Education Challenge
Information: http://www.homeenergychallenge.org/Default.aspx
Designed for students of grades 3–8 across the US, the challenge will teach fundamentals about energy use, energy conservation in the home, and cost-savings as a result of the challenge initiatives. Participating schools compete for more than $200,000 in prizes distributed at the regional and national levels of the competition.
365: Chemistry for Life Contest
Information: http://fs7.formsite.com/ACSEducation/365ChemistryforLife/index.html
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is offering students, teachers, and others the chance to win cash cards and an iPad, iPod Touch, and iPod Nano in a contest to fill in empty dates in its IYC-365 online calendar. Called the “365: Chemistry for Life Contest,” it is part of ACS’ celebration of the International Year of Chemistry. ACS purposely left some days without content, as an invitation to the public to help fill in the gaps, and participate in the IYC. Entries should consist of the name of a chemistry-related person, place, innovation or everyday item with a 300-400 word description of the entry. The description should be written in non-technical language and include a discussion of how the entry improves and impacts everyday life. Entries accepted for use in the calendar will be eligible for a monthly drawing for a $50 Visa card, and a December drawing for the iPad, iPod Touch, and iPod Nano.
Free Online Science Safety Certification
Information: http://labsafety.flinnsci.com/Home.aspx
Over the past 30 years Flinn Scientific has successfully trained more than 100,000 high school and middle school science teachers in classroom and laboratory safety via safety seminars, safety workshops, and safety related email. They have developed the seven unique laboratory safety courses listed above that you can view online 24/7 absolutely FREE. You can now become “Flinn Certified” in high school or middle school laboratory safety. Sign up for a free account today and click on the High School or Middle School Safety Course tab for more information.
Microsoft Partners in Learning U.S. Forum
Deadline: May 15, 2012
Information: http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/Training/events/Pages/2012_US_Forum.aspx
Microsoft is currently accepting applications for their 2012 Partners in Learning U.S. Forum. The forum is designed to be a time for educators to share their innovative ideas and create new ideas in collaboration with each other. Educators accepted into the Partners in Learning U.S. Forum to be held July 31- August 1 in Redmond, WA will have their expenses paid by Microsoft.
New Science Teacher Academy
Deadline: July 1, 2012
Information: http://www.nsta.org/academy
NSTA and sponsoring corporations invite middle and high school science teachers in their second or third year of teaching to apply to participate in the New Science Teacher Academy. More than 200 teacher applicants will win a scholarship for the 2011-2012 Academy program. "Fellows" in the Academy will enjoy the following:
- Membership in NSTA with full benefits
- Access to facilitated, web-based curriculum devoted to content and classroom pedagogy
- One-on-one e-mentoring, specific to the Fellow's discipline and grade band
- All expenses paid to NSTA's National Conference (lodging, airfare, meals, and registration included)
- Attendance at a PD Institute or Research Conference
Student Opportunities
NASA Earth Day Video Contest
Deadline: May 31, 2012
Information: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/earthday-vid-2012.html
To mark Earth Day 2012, NASA is inviting the public to create compelling video visions of NASA's exploration of Earth: the Final Frontier. Entrants will post short videos on YouTube that capture what they find inspiring and important about the unique view and understanding of Earth provided by NASA science. The winner will receive behind-the-scenes access to the next rocket launch of a NASA Earth-observing satellite. The Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), a joint project of NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in January 2013.
Citizen Science Opportunity: Microbial Diversity
Information: http://php.scripts.psu.edu/dept/psarc/index.php?page=citizen-science-project
The Astrobiology Research Center with Pennsylvania's NASA Space Grant program is piloting a citizen science project to study microbial diversity in household water systems. They are currently recruiting 3 households from every state, including DC and Puerto Rico, to acquire a water sample from their kitchen tap and answer about 20 questions. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about astrobiology.
Do Something Grants, Scholarships and Awards
Deadline: Ongoing and Various
Information: http://www.dosomething.org/programs
DoSomething.Org offers a myriad of opportunities for students to take action, learn, collaborate, and make a difference, including $500 seed grants, $250 "project pitch" grants , and $250 Do Something Club grants.
Gr 3-6: Kids’ Science Challenge Opportunity
Deadline: Ongoing, beginning in October 2011
Information: http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com/
The Kids’ Science Challenge, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Pulse of the Planet, is a nationwide annual competition in which students in grades 3–6 submit experiments and problems for real scientists and engineers to solve. An online video provides an overview of this year’s challenge topics: Zero Waste, Animal Smarts and Meals on Mars. Through the video, students will learn what the scientists and engineers are challenging them to do: to come up with ideas or inventions that no one has thought of before.
Author and Copyright
This page is brought to you by the staff of the Middle School Portal 2: Mathematics and Science Pathways (MSP2) project. Connect with colleagues and find exemplary resources at http://msteacher2.org. Email any comments to msp@msteacher.org.
Copyright 2009-2011 - The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Grant No. 0840824. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
