It’s that time of year again! NSTA and its sponsors are kicking off another exciting year of rewarding and recognizing high-performing science educators and students through our large-scale, nationally known competitions and grant programs.
Although we reach a large number of individuals involved in the science education community, there are still many science educators out there who don’t know about these programs. Help spread the word and include the news about these amazing opportunities for teachers and students on your Web site and/or in your member newsletters and communications. Check out the following opportunities listed below.
Disney’s Planet Challenge®
Fourth through sixth grade students have the opportunity to make a difference in their surroundings while using science, math, composition and problem-solving skills. Disney’s Planet Challenge has gone nationwide and now students across the country can participate! Registration is now open and students can win prizes, classroom grants, a trip to Disneyland® with their classmates, a chance to be on a TV show and much more! Teachers can use the Challenge with their lesson plans. Sample plans can be found on the website. Disney’s Planet Challenge is a great way to get students involved with their environment in a fun and creative way. Go to http://disney.go.com/planetchallenge/ to get started. Registration closes December 18, 2009.
Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge
K-8 students have the opportunity to become “Agents of Change” as they team up with their classmates to create replicable solutions to environmental issues in their classroom, school and community. Student and teacher/mentor prizes, which vary according to grade level, include savings bonds, school grants, exciting trips, TV appearances and much more. Applications are now being accepted. The deadline for elementary level entries is January 31, 2010 (finalists and winners to be announced March 10, 2010); and the deadline for middle school entries is March 15, 2010 (state winners to be announced April 26, 2010, and national winners to be announced May 10, 2010). For more information about the Challenge or to register for the competition, visit www.wecanchange.com.
Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Awards Program
ExploraVision is a competition that makes science fun and exciting for students and gives educators an innovative way to present science topics in the classroom. This competition encourages K-12 students of any interest and ability levels to imagine a future technology using present day predicaments. Students can win up to $10,000 in savings bonds for college and cool gifts from Toshiba. Applications are now being accepted; the deadline is February 2, 2010. For more information about the program or to learn how to apply, visit www.exploravision.org.
Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers
The Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program, one of the largest science teacher grant programs in the nation, and is now accepting entries for the 2009-2010 competition. Now in its 20th year, the program offers grants up to $10,000 to K-12 science teachers for innovative projects that enhance science education in their school and/or school district over a one-year period. For more information about the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers program or to learn how to apply, visit http://www.nsta.org/pd/tapestry/. Applications must be submitted no later than January 18, 2010 to be considered.