Student Resources

 

The following is a list of resources for students. Check back often as the list changes often.

 

 

Poetry Out Loud


The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation present Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest, in partnership with the Oregon Arts Commission.  Schools are invited to adopt the 2008 - 2009 Poetry Out Loud curriculum, present school-wide contests, and advance to the state competition on Saturday, March 14, 2009 in Salem.  Oregon’s state champion will advance to the National Finals, April 26-28, 2009 in Washington, DC.  Oregon’s 2008 Champion, Sophia Soberon from Brookings-Harbor High, won second place at the national contest, which included a $10,000 scholarship.

An Oregon Poetry Out Loud curriculum guide will be available online by mid-September at www.oregonartscommission.org.  The national Poetry Out Loud website offers details of the contest and suggestions of how to incorporate poetry into the classroom:  www.poetryoutloud.org.  Deadline for school registration has been extended to November 26.

To register, or for more information, contact Deb Vaughn, arts education coordinator, Oregon Arts Commission at deborah.vaughn@state.or.us or 503-986-0085.

 

 

A Call for Writing-November 21 Deadline


VSA arts www.vsarts.org, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is accepting short works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for publication in an online literary journal on the theme "At Second Glance." Entries must reach VSA arts on or before Friday, November 21, 2008. The call is open to students with disabilities and students who have connections to people with disabilities. Students must be between the ages of 11 and 18 years. Submissions must relate to the theme "At Second Glance." Prompts are available at the website, including the following: Describe how a second opportunity to experience a sound, smell, sight, event, or personal interaction led you to change your perception or opinion. Writing may be submitted in any language. A total of two entries per student are allowed: one fiction or nonfiction piece and one poem. See www.VSAarts.org for complete guidelines and entry / publishing information. The call for writing is a tool to encourage educators to explore creative writing in their classrooms and learning environments. It is an opportunity to draw out the expressive minds of students of all abilities through the written word, while also addressing education standards in reading and writing. Writing guides are available online at www.vsarts.org under Resources for Educators and Parents.

 


Rubber Band Contest


The Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS), The Akron Global Polymer Academy, and The University of Akron are hosting the first-ever Rubber Band Contest for Young Inventors to encourage students in grades 5-8 to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity by creating an invention that incorporates the use of rubber bands. Young Inventors must be students in grades 5 to 8 for the school year 2008-2009, and original inventions must incorporate the use of rubber bands. Deadline for all contest entries is November 14, 2008.

 

 

 

 

First Freedom Student Competition National Essay Contest


The Council for America's First Freedom announces the 16th annual First Freedom Student Competition. This national essay contest offers 9th - 12th grade students an opportunity to compete for a $3,000, $1,500, and $750 award, as they examine the First Amendment and the history and relevance of religious freedom in America and the world today. Student online registration is due by Monday, November 24, 2008 with the postmark entry deadline on Friday, November 28.

This year's topic introduces students to George Washington's famous statement about "mere" toleration in his 1790 letter to the Jewish congregation of Newport, Rhode Island. Students will identify the basic principles of religious liberty espoused in this primary document and will further research and assess how well the United States has lived up to Washington's ideal. In addition to the monetary award, the first-place winner and his or her teacher (or other adult chaperone) will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Newport, Rhode Island in mid-August 2009 for the annual VIP reading of President Washington's historic letter.

 

 

 

Guido Caldarrazo Scholarships

 

The annual Scholarship deadline is September 30. Successful recipients are announced at the Crystal Apple Awards in November each year. To apply for a scholarship, click here.


 

2009 American Civil Liberties Union Youth Activist Scholarship


We need your help in identifying students who have a passion for civil liberties!
16 high school students from across the country will be awarded a $12,500 college scholarship for their dedication to preserve our civil liberties. We are seeking students who have stood up for issues involving racial justice, free speech, human rights, equality and tolerance. The scholarship winners will then become part of an elite “class” of student activists, whose talents and passion will be fostered by the ACLU National Office. Please contact Evyn Mitchell at 503-552-2109 or emitchell@aclu-or.org for more information and an application for your students. For more information on this scholarship program visit www.aclu.org/standup/

 

2008 Oregon Driver Excellence Scholarship Challenge – Applications due Oct. 10


“Sex, drugs and rock-n-roll” are often cited as the greatest risks to teens’ safety. However, the biggest threat to teens is often parked right in the driveway. Preventable motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Oregon teens today.

The 2008 Oregon Driver Excellence Scholarship Challenge  seeks to prevent crashes and recognize outstanding teen drivers through an innovative scholarship competition. Eligible students will compete for scholarships valued between $500 and $2,000.

The competition includes four parts:


  1. Written test – similar to Oregon driver license knowledge test;
  2. Perception test – a multi-media assessment asking students to determine best practices;
  3. Skill test – examines student’s driving ability including backing, parallel parking and steering through obstacles; and
  4. Simulator (Skid Monster) – evaluate student’s reaction to simulated situations.


Sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation Safety Division, Western Oregon University, Oregon Traffic Safety Education, Governors Highway Safety Association and funded through a grant from the Ford Motor Company’s Driving Skills for Life program, the 2008 Oregon Driver Excellence Scholarship Challenge will be held at Linn-Benton (Oct. 19). Participants must be between 16 and 18 years old, enrolled in an Oregon secondary school, have completed an ODOT-approved traffic safety education course, have had an Oregon driver license for at least six months, have a 3.0 grade point average and a clean driving record among other criteria. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 10. A full list of eligibility criteria and Challenge guidelines is available online.


 

Engineers Make a Difference Poster Contest


“Engineers Make a Difference” is the theme for the Engineering Education Service Center’s Fall 2008 Poster contest. This year’s winning entry can be found in a display of inspiration, excitement, wonder and curiosity. Posters should be fun, motivational and inspire students to pursue a degree in engineering, technology and/or science. Submissions may be made electronically or by CD/regular mail. Deadline for submissions is November 12, 2008. For submission instructions and more about this year’s theme, visit the contest website at: http://www.engineeringedu.com/contest.htm

 

 

 

November 7th, 2008 is the deadline for the 2009 AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP


16 high school students from across the country will be awarded a $12,500 college scholarship for their dedication to preserve our civil liberties. We are seeking students who have stood up for issues involving racial justice, free speech, human rights, equality and tolerance. The scholarship winners will then become part of a special group of student activists whose talents and passion will be fostered by the ACLU National Office. Contact Evyn Mitchell at 503-552-2109 or emitchell@aclu-or.org for more information or a scholarship application.


 

 

"Education is our greatest opportunity to give an irrevocable gift to the next generation."

 

— Ernie Fletcher

Try to Learn Something New Every Day.