Contests

Abstract

Contests

Young Composers Challenge

Young composers between the ages of 13 and 18 years are invited to compose an original score for either a full orchestra (standard orchestra instrumentation) or for a small ensemble (two to six instruments). All compositions should be no longer than 5 min. Entrants should submit a MIDI file of the composition in MP# or WAV format and four copies of the score, along with their cover letter. The judges will review all entries and select three full orchestra compositions and three ensemble compositions to be performed and recorded by a professional symphony orchestra at the National Young Composers Challenge (NYCC) Composium. Each orchestral composer winner will receive US$1,000 and each ensemble winner will receive US$500 plus a professional recording of their composition. Scores will be judged based on artistic quality, and skill in orchestration, notation, and scoring. Scores must be submitted by May 1, 2016. For more information, please visit http://www.youngcomposerschallenge.com/

Ocean Awareness Student Art Contest 2016

Linda Cabot launched the Ocean Awareness Essay Contest in 2011 as a companion to her film, From the Bow Seat, an environmental documentary she filmed while sailing the Gulf of Maine. Linda founded and funded the Ocean Awareness Essay Contest to inspire ocean stewardship. Middle and high school students from around the world are invited to participate in the 2016 Ocean Awareness Student Contest. The theme is “Making Meaning Out of Ocean Pollution,” and it challenges students to research, explore, interpret, and say something meaningful about the connections between human activities and the health of our oceans. Students should focus on one type of ocean pollution and “make meaning” of it through art, poetry, prose, or film. An individual or group (ranging from two people to an entire class of students) may submit art. Each individual or group who submits to the contest must have one or more adult sponsors (usually, sponsors are teachers, a parent, or a mentor). The first place winner receives US$1,500 for themselves and US$1,500 for their school. The second place winner receives US$1,000, and the third place winner receives US$500. Ten honorable mention recipients will receive US$250 each, and three teachers will receive recognition awards of US$750 each. Submissions are due on June 13, 2016. For more information, please visit http://www.graphiccompetitions.com/jump.php?contest=ocean-awareness-student-art-contest-2016/

Scholarship for Students With an Autistic Sibling

Knapp and Roberts, a Phoenix-based law firm, is offering a US$2,500 scholarship for college-bound students who have a sibling with autism. They want to raise awareness for not only the children with autism but also the supporting family members. To apply, students should write an essay sharing their family’s story, where they will be going to college, what career they plan on are pursuing, and how they would benefit from this scholarship. Applicants must be graduating high school in 2016 or actively enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States (graduate students are eligible) and have a sibling or siblings with autism. Transcripts and a letter from a physician confirming the diagnosis of autism must be included in the application. The essay should include a minimum of 500 words and must be received by April 30, 2016. For more information, please visit http://www.knappandroberts.com/scholarship/

Scott Yancey National Scholarship Essay Contest

Scott Yancey is a businessman and real estate broker and is best known for his role on the A&E television series, Flipping Vegas. The team at Scott Yancey is committed to supporting students in their educational path and look forward to awarding one scholarship winner a US$1,500 scholarship to be used for tuition and books. The contest is open to any U.S. citizen currently enrolled in an accredited American university or college. To enter, students must submit a 300-word essay on the following topic: How has entrepreneurship changed in America? Students should email their essay as an attachment in PDF or Word format, including their full name, school they are attending, and contact information to scholarship@scottYancey.com. The essay submission deadline is June 1, 2016. For more information, please visit http://scottyancey.com/

Grants and Awards

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, funds the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. The purpose of the program is to implement scientifically based research, demonstration projects, and innovative strategies designed to build and enhance the ability of elementary and secondary schools to meet the educational needs of gifted and talented students. Grants are awarded within two priorities. Priority 1 grants support initiatives to develop and scale up models serving students who are underrepresented in gifted and talented programs. Priority 2 supports state and local efforts to improve services for gifted and talented students. Priority 1 grants evaluate existing models designed to increase the number of gifted and talented students from underrepresented groups who perform at high levels of academic achievement. Scaling up means to expand the model to broader settings or with different underrepresented populations. Priority 2 grants, and State Education Association (SEA) and Local Education Association (LEA) programs and projects, must carry out one or more of the following activities:

Conduct scientifically based research on methods and techniques for identifying and teaching gifted and talented students, using programs and methods in serving all students, and conducting program evaluations, surveys, and other analyses needed to accomplish the program’s purpose;

Provide professional development for personnel involved in the education of gifted and talented students;

Establish and operate model projects and exemplary programs for serving gifted and talented students, including summer programs, mentoring, service learning, and programs involving business, industry, and education;

Implement innovative strategies;

Provide technical assistance and information on how to serve gifted and talented students and how to adapt these programs to serve all students;

Make materials and services available through state regional education service centers, Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), or other entities; or

Provide challenging, high-level course work, disseminated through technologies (including distance learning), for students in schools or LEAs who would not otherwise have the resources for such course work.

Eligible applicants are public agencies and other private agencies and organizations. Grants range from upper US$400,000 to lower US$250,000. The Department estimates awarding six to 10 new grants, each for a period of up to 36 months. Anticipated deadline is May 4, 2016. For more information, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/javits/index.html/

The U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, supports partnerships composed of research institutions and state or local education agencies that have identified an education issue or problem of high priority for the education agency that has important implications for improving student education outcomes. These partnerships are to carry out initial research on that education issue and develop a plan for future research on it. The ultimate goal of the partnerships supported under this topic is to conduct and promote research during and after the grant that has direct implications for improving programs, processes, practices, or policies resulting in improved student education outcomes. The Research Partnerships topic differs from the Institute’s other research grant programs in that it provides support for a partnership’s development of a research plan. Applicants must include a partnership between a research institution and a U.S. education agency. The maximum amount of the award is US$400,000 for a duration of 2 years. Deadline is May 21, 2016, for the letter of intent and August 16, 2016, for the application. For more information, visit http://ies.ed.gov/funding/ncer_rfas/partnerships.asp

The American Mathematical Society Epsilon Fund Grants for Young Scholars Programs supports summer mathematics programs for mathematically talented high school students. The goal of the program is to aid and promote programs that support and nurture mathematically talented youth in the United States and to make these opportunities available to the broad pool of all mathematically talented students. Programs should have been in existence for at least 1 year, and preferably more. Successful programs tend to have the following characteristics: run over a period of multiple weeks in the summer, bring in at least 20 high school students with mathematical talent, and generally are directed by mathematicians. Programs can focus on problem solving or mathematical research in any area of mathematics. Applications are accepted from program directors only. Grants range from the upper US$15,000 to the lower US$2,500. Funding is for one year, and half may be used for student scholarships and half for program expenses. More than a dozen awards are made each year. Deadlines for application are December 15 for the following summer. For more information, visit http://www.ams.org/programs/edu-support/epsilon/emp-epsilon/