Student Programs

Visit the K12 Outreach Directory for more student programs in North Carolina!

Journalism Contest

Have any star student journalists on your school paper who are interested in environmental issues? If so, we’ve extended the deadline for the ITT Award for Excellence in Student Water Journalism, an award recognizing outstanding high school journalism on an environmental water issue. The new deadline to receive entries isWednesday, May 28, 2008.

Winning prize includes $1,000 Scholarship, all expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden to attend World Water Week in August of 2008 for winning student AND advisor

Additionally, entrants will gain exposure to seasoned environmental journalists serving on the 2008 judging panel from National Geographic, MSNBC.com, Scientific American, and Water Environment and Technology. To enter, please visit http://itt.com/news/global-activities/water-journalism/ to download the submission form, or contact Janice Gatti at jgatti@peppercom.com.

Ocean Art Contest

NOAA's partner, Coastal America, through their Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center members are sponsoring an ocean art contest open to students in grades K-12 and college and university students. The contest is nationwide! The purpose of the contest is to enhance public awareness of the importance of the ocean through visual expression and incorporating one of the principles of ocean literacy.

The winning artwork will be displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. You and your children or local schools can be a part of this contest. Find out how at: http://www.coastalamerica.gov/2008artcontest.html. Entries are due by May 30, 2008.

Camp Invention

Afun-filled chance to be creative and innovative this summer at Camp Invention! Led by educators, this exciting one week day camp encourages teamwork, creative problem solving and inventive thinking for girls and boys entering grades 2-6. Each program mixes science, math, history and the arts with lots of fun! For questions or to register call 1-800-968-4332 or check out the website.

FIRST Robot Competitions

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a non-profit, educational organization that was created to excite young people about science and technology with the goal of inspiring them to enter the advanced technology based workforce of tomorrow.  It has a distinct goal of providing them with the skills that will prove valuable in the future. .  In order to achieve its goals, FIRST produces several hands-on programs that truly change the way our youth, educators, and corporate partners view science and technology.  These include:

Junior FIRST LEGO League – Teams of up to 6 children, aged 6 to 9, and one adult mentor participate in a month-long program where they learn about a specified science topic.  In 2007 the topic was “Power Puzzle” (energy related) and in 2008 it will be “Climate Connections”.  They research the topic, build a LEGO model concerning some aspect of the challenge and create a poster showing the team’s experience.  For more information see the websites below, or contact Marie Hopper at hopperme@earthlink.net.

FIRST LEGO League – Teams of up to 10 children, ages 9-14, a team coach and mentors, research and solve a real world science challenge, present their research and solutions and build an autonomous robot using engineering concepts and LEGO building bricks.  In 2007 the topic was “Power Puzzle” (energy related) and in 2008 it will be “Climate Connections”.  For more information, see the websites below, or contact Marie Hopper at hopperme@earthlink.net.

FIRST Tech Challenge – Teams of up to 10 high school students and adult coaches and mentors use the Vex robotics Design System to design/build robots to compete in a FIRST designed game.  This competition has all the traditional challenges of a FIRST competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit.  For more information, see the website below or contact Kim Riddick at NC_FIRST@yahoo.com

FIRST Robotics Competition –Teams of high school students and adult coaches and mentors participate in the premiere engineering challenge.  In six short weeks they solve a common problem using a standard kit of parts and a common set of rules; they create a robot that can play a unique game, announced at the beginning of each years build season.  For more information, see the websites below or contact Kathy Ward at kward@usfirst.org

This year $9.8 million dollars in scholarships, 550 individual scholarships, from 108 colleges, universities, professional organizations and corporations were offered to high school FIRST Robotics students.

For more information: see www.usfirst.org or www.ncfirstrobotics.org

Summer Exploration

NC State University's Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources is pleased to announce the 2008 Summer Camp for rising Junior and Seniors in high school. The camp is July 6-11, 2008 at NC State University. Total cost for summer camp is $300, which includes room, board, materials, and hands-on instruction throughout the week. A $100 deposit is due with a completed application by the April 14th deadline. The remaining balance is due by June 6th. Questions can be directed to Ms Vonda Easterling at 919-515-5510.

Graduation Project Resources

The NC Graduation Project Support page (http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/gradproject.html) has listings of individuals and organizations across the state who are willing to act as mentors on student projects, as well as possible project ideas. Mentors are listed by environmental topic area and by county.

North Carolina Student Projects in the Earth and Environmental Sciences blog
This blog supports students and their teachers in creating, planning, implementing, and reporting the results of research and service projects, including high school graduation projects. Students and teachers can share their ideas, questions, problems, and successes through the blog and help us all improve our projects as well as our understanding of this Earth and its environment. The NC Student Projects blog is monitored by high school science teachers and the Office of Environmental Education.

2008 PPQ Ag-Discovery Summer Camp

Ag-Discovery is an outreach program to help students learn about careers
in animal science, veterinary medicine, and plant pathology. This program
allows participants to live on a college campus and learn about
Agricultural science from university professors, practicing veterinarians
and professionals working for the U.S. Government. This 2 to 3-week summer
boarding program targets youth ages 12-17 who are interested in learning
more about animal science, veterinary medicine and plant pathology.
Students chosen to participate in Ag-Discovery will gain experience through
hands-on labs, workshops, and field trips. Students will also participate
in character and team building activities and diversity workshops

North Carolina State University - July 21 - August 1, 2008 Raleigh, NC
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery/

Enviro-Adventures at Montreat College

The Center for Learning and Investigation in Mountain Backcountry Ecosystems (CLIMBE) is an environmental training and research center for high school students who have an interest in field and laboratory science. CLIMBE offers various educational programs to students who have an interest in environmental science and those who wish to work outside of the traditional science laboratory. During the CLIMBE programs, students interact with Ph.D. scientists and participate in valid scientific research. CLIMBE follows established scientific protocols for data collection and provides young scientists with hands-on field data collection, analysis, and reporting on basic ecological and environmental concepts at research stations in remote areas of the greater Mt. Mitchell ecosystem. Data collection involves the use of state of the art technology which meets standards established by NOAA and EPA. The mountain watershed ecosystems of Mt. Mitchell offer unique alpine and high elevation environments in which scientific field study is needed to investigate the critical environmental factors threatening the air, water, and forests. Students not only implement widely recognized field collection techniques, but they also learn to live comfortably in the remote settings they are studying. For more information please visit www.montreat.edu/climbe or contact Brackin Kirkland at (828) 669-8012 ext 3405

National Youth Science Camp

Two high school seniors will receive a full scholarship to exchange ideas with scientists and other professionals from the academic and corporate worlds. The four-week experience includes lectures and hands-on research projects presented by scientists from across the nation; three overnight expeditions into the National Forest; and a visit to Washington D.C. The selected delegates must not only demonstrate academic achievement in science, but also show potential for thoughtful scientific leadership.
The NYSC experience is offered at no cost to its participants, so that selected delegates may attend regardless of their financial status. Through contributions from the National Youth Science Foundation®, delegates get a "once in a lifetime" experience. Educational and recreational programming, as well as meals, lodging, and round-trip air passage on scheduled airlines are provided free of charge.
Application forms are available on the NYSC website at www.nysc.org and must be submitted directly to:
Ragan Spain
Science Consultant
Division of Instructional Services
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
6352 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-6352

Youth Incentive Award

The Coleopterists Society, an international organization of professionals and hobbyists interested in the study of beetles, has established a program to recognize young people studying beetles. For children of grades 7-12 only.

A Youth Incentive Award Committee from the Coleopterists Society will evaluate the applications and will select up to two winners annually; one each in junior (grades 7-9) and senior (grades 10-12) categories. The selection committee invites proposals for topics such as field collecting trips to conduct beetle species inventories or diversity studies, attending workshops or visiting entomology or natural history museums for special training and projects on beetles, studying aspects of beetle biology, etc. Additional details and application forms for The Coleopterists Society Youth Incentive Award Program can be obtained from: Dr. David G. Furth; Entomology, NHB, MRC 165; P.O. Box 37012; Smithsonian Institution; Washington, D. C. 20013-7012 (phone: 202-633-0990, FAX: 202-786-2894, email: furthd@si.edu). Also check The Coleopterists Society WebPage: http://www.coleopsoc.org/

NASA Aviation Competition

Students are asked to imagine and write an essay or design a next generation aircraft that could join the commercial fleet in 2058. High school students should prepare a well-informed essay describing how transportation of goods and passengers might be revolutionized in the 21st century as it was in the 1930s and 1940s by the introduction of the DC-3. Essays are limited to 12 pages and should address environmental impacts, including reduced noise and emissions, improved operating costs, the use of alternative fuels, passenger and cargo loads, and use of existing general aviation runways.

Teams or individuals may enter in either category. Winners may be invited to a student forum sponsored by NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate and receive offers of student internships or other prizes, including cash, depending on available funds. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for cash prizes or NASA-funded internships.

For contest information and submission, visit http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/competitions.htm

The Young Naturalist Awards

a program from the American Museum of Natural History and sponsored by Alcoa Foundation, is a research-based essay contest for students in grades 7 – 12 to promote participation and communication in science. Young people who enter conduct their own investigations on a topic in the field of biology, ecology, Earth science or, astronomy. They plan their own scientific expeditions during which they identify questions, form hypotheses, collect data, make observations, and draw conclusions Students present their findings in narrative essays that include illustrations, photographs, maps, graphs, and bibliographies. This year’s guidelines have been updated and are now posted on our web site at: www.amn.org/youngnaturalistawards.

BioDreaming Poster Contest

The Biotechnology Institute invites all public and private school children and youth organizations to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to the public understanding of the promises of and challenges of biotechnology by participating in the Biotechnology Institute’s BioDreaming Poster Contest. We hope your school district will participate in this worthwhile event and look forward to working with you! All K-12 Students in public and private schools and youth organizations are eligible. For more information and to view previous winners, visit:
http://www.biotechinstitute.org/programs/biodreaming.html

Student Science Enrichment Programs

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund has posted a list of all the Student Science Enrichment Programs (SSEPs) that are currently funded. If you are looking for quality science programs for students at low/no cost this is a great place to look! SSEPs are primarily for middle and high school students and can be found in all parts of North Carolina.

Project Suc-SEED,

a statewide science enrichment program providing an eight-week research experience for high school students, is now accepting applications for the summer of 2007. The goals of the program are to financially support and encourage talented, disadvantaged North Carolina high school students to pursue terminal graduate and professional school degrees in chemistry, or chemistry related science disciplines through a scientific research internship experience. Each student is involved in a research project in chemistry and/or chemistry-related sciences under the guidance and supervision of an experienced scientist (preceptor) at Duke University, North Carolina State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill. Students outside the triangle area will be provided housing at Duke University.

Please visit the web site of Project Suc-SEED (http://www.ncprojectsuc-seed.org/) for additional information. The deadline for applications is February 15th

Team America Rocketry Challenge

Students must design, build, and fly a model rocket carrying a raw egg to an altitude of 850 feet, keep it aloft for 45 seconds and return it safely to the ground. Teams conduct their own qualification flights locally between September and April and submit a final qualification score. The Top 100 teams are chosen based on these scores and invited to Washington, DC to compete in the National Finals event in May. The top teams in this competition split a prize package of over $60,000 in cash, savings bonds, and other prizes contributed by NASA and the Department of Defense. TARC is open to teams of students in grades 7-12 from any US school or non-profit youth organization (ex: Boy Scouts, 4-H, Civil Air Patrol). 2007 Applications are now available on the web and the deadline to register is November 15th.

National Science Decatholon

National Science Decathlon is a lose affiliation of teachers, parents and community volunteers dedicated to promoting science education by organizing competitive, science-based tournaments throughout the United States. Each Science Decathlon tournament is made up of ten Team Events and up to four Pilot Events which sport names like Bridge Breaking, Water Rocketry and Ick! Thyology for each division. Division A events are for 9th -12th grade high school students. Division B events are for 6th - 9th grade junior high, middle school and intermediate elementary students.

Igniting Creative Energy Challenge

National Energy Foundation is pleased to announce the Fourth Annual Igniting Creative Energy Challenge.  The Challenge is an educational competition designed to encourage students to learn more about energy and the environment and demonstrate that understanding. One teacher and three students will be named as Grand Prize Winners. Each Grand Prize Winner will receive a hosted educational trip of a lifetime for two to Hawaii. Winners will also participate in the National Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington D.C.,where they will share their Challenge entries and ideas with government officials and energy leaders from across the nation. For guidelines, entry forms and to see previous winning projects, visit the official website at www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org.

Citizen Science

the science and technology program of SustainUS, is pleased to announce the first-ever Citizen Scientist science writing competition for young people (ages 13-26) in the United States. The best scientific papers written for a general audience on any topic relating to the economic, social, or environmental dimensions of sustainable development will be published in the Citizen Science online journal. Authors will receive a free magazine subscription and have an exclusive opportunity to present their respective ideas at the United Nations. Competition details are available in the application, available at www.sustainus.org/mambo/cs/csapplication.doc For more information about SustainUS, visit www.sustainus.org.

Action for Nature (AFN) is seeking applications from students from around the world 8 to 16 years old for its 2005 International Young Eco-Hero Awards Program.  This program recognizes the individual accomplishments of young people who have carried out environmental action projects. Projects must concern environmental action, advocacy, environmental health, research, or protection of the natural world.Cash prizes up to $500 will be awarded. Click on http://www.actionfornature.org/eco-hero/ for guidelines and an application form.

Students who have demonstrated an interest in and aptitude for science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and geography (STEM+G) can apply for NASA's Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program. Each year, NASA selects about 400 students to work with some of the agency's top science professionals on cutting-edge research projects. Internships last at least eight weeks. Precollege students from groups traditionally underrepresented in the STEM+G fields are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://www.nasasharp.com.

FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. FIRST inspires in young people, their schools and communities an appreciation of science and technology, and how mastering these can enrich the lives of all.

What kind of Earth scientist might you be? What would you study? What kinds of tools would you use? Draw yourself as an Earth scientist. You can make yourself look like you do today. Or you can make yourself look the way you think you will when you grow up. Either way, show how you would explore the Earth. Email Nancy Leon for details and application form.

The University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill has launched a new series of Saturday programs designed to interest and challenge your best science students. Please read the invitation information below; if you know any students who might be interested in Science Spectrum please forward the invitation to them. We need for students to RSVP as soon as possible since the enrollment is limited to the first 50 students that sign up. Just e-mail sklapper@email.unc.edu

is a program out of the new Contemporary Science Center. This weeklong summer camp, running three times in July, will blend our science explorations in biology and math with interaction with people, companies and experiences from Research Triangle Park. Teenagers will have the chance to explore both the roles of the many players who come together to make a successful scientific start-up, and the science behind two of them - Inspire Pharmaceuticals and Constella Health Sciences. Students will interview RTP entrepreneurs and envision their own plans based on those interactions. And students will get to spend two days experimenting with two major scientific applications - the drug discovery process for Cystic Fibrosis compounds at Inspire, and the study design process for a major Centers for Disease Control study of paramedics at Constella.
The camp is for rising 8th through 12th graders, is not residential, and will be at Cary Academy in Cary, NC.
Specifics on the camp are at: http://www.contemporarysciencecenter.org/pages/3/index.htm

Know a science education resource that should be on this list? Please contact the webmaster.