Monday, December 05, 2005

[Ecological literacy] Eco-Literacy and America's 'Nature-Deficit Disorder' A new report on American's eco-literacy is humbling to those of us in the environmental information business -- and is one of the more important reports I've read of late. [Joel Makower: Two Steps Forward] 2:51:19 PM Google It!    [Grants] Youth Service America and Youth Venture Invite Grant Applications for Youth Service Projects Deadline: December 19, 2005 Youth Service America (http://www.ysa.org/) and Youth Venture (http://www.youthventure.org/) are teaming up again to help "make every day National Global Youth Service Day" by giving young people in the United States the opportunity to create sustainable projects for N&GYSD 2006, April 21-23 (http://www.ysa.org/nysd/). Twenty five awards of up to $1,000 in start-up funds are available to young people (ages 12 to 20) who want to create new, sustainable, civic-minded organizations, clubs,or businesses ("Ventures"). These Ventures must be youth-led and designed to be a lasting asset to the community. YSA Youth Venturers are required to host an event on GYSD. 11:32:09 AM Google It!    [Grants] Christopher Columbus Awards Program Deadline: February 13, 2006 Sponsored by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation (http://www.columbusfdn.org/) in cooperation with the National Science Foundation (http://www.nsf.gov/), the Christopher Columbus Awards program (http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/) is a national competition for middle-school-age children that combines science and technology with community problem-solving in a real-world setting. With the help of an adult coach, participating students work in teams to identify an issue they care about and, using science and technology, work with experts, conduct research, and put their ideas to the test to develop an innovative solution to that problem. The awards program is open to all middle-school-age (sixth, seventh, and eighth grade) children in the U.S., its possessions, and territories. Teams do not need to be affiliated with a school to enter. Coaches may be any adult over 18 years of age, including parents, community leaders, grandparents, and teachers. Eight finalist teams and their coaches will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to attend the program's National Championship Week, plus a $200 grant to further develop their ideas. Two gold medal teams will receive a $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond and a plaque for each team member, along with a plaque for their school. In addition, one team will receive the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant as seed money to help bring its idea to life in the community. Inspired by the plight of so many who have been affected by natural disasters in the past year, the board of trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation has added the Chairman's Award to the tenth annual awards competition. Any team interested in addressing a natural disaster topic as the focus of their project will be considered for the existing Christopher Columbus Awards prizes and the special Chairman's Award. The Chairman's Award winning team and its coach will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World, a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond for each team member, and the opportunity to select a qualified disaster-related nonprofit to receive a $5,000 cash donation. 11:28:16 AM Google It!

© Copyright 2006 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 1/13/2006; 10:58:54 AM.