Opportunity from NG and Lowe's

This looks like a great opportunity for science and social studies teachers. One of my goals this year is to get my students "in the field" more, so I may apply for this one.



Mission
To provide outdoor, hands-on science education to students in grades K-12 and assist schools in enhancing their core curriculum in all subjects.

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and National Geographic Explorer! classroom magazine have partnered to create an outdoor classroom grant program to provide schools with additional resources to improve their science curriculum by engaging students in hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom. All K-12 public schools in the United States are welcome to apply.

This school year, the program will award grants up to $2,000 to at least 100 schools. In some cases, grants for up to $20,000 may be awarded to schools or school districts with major outdoor classroom projects. The grants can be used to build a new outdoor classroom or to enhance a current outdoor classroom at the school.

This program only considers outdoor classroom proposals. Please submit all other grant proposals for community improvement projects and K-12 public school initiatives to the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation at www.lowes.com/community.

Click here to begin your online grant application.

To view a list of 2005 Outdoor Classroom grant recipients, click here.

Support the Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act

From National Geographic:

Help Congress Put Geography on the Map!Through the My Wonderful World campaign, you are a powerful voice for geographic literacy. Please consider writing your Senators and Representatives in Congress, and urge them to support and cosponsor the pending Teaching Geography is Fundamental Act (TGIF). Did you know that of the nine core subjects included in the No Child Left Behind legislation, geography is the only one without designated federal funding? TGIF will rectify this by funding professional development for educators to ensure all young people acquire the vital geography skills and experience they need. Thus far, the Senate version of TGIF (S. 727) has attracted 18 cosponsors, and the House version (H.R. 1228) has 39 cosponsors. We have made it easy to contact your lawmakers to tell them this bill is a priority. You can also spread the word and urge your friends, family, and co-workers to notify their lawmakers about TGIF. Thank you for sharing your voice.