Toshiba America Foundation technology grants for project-based math/ science learning

"Toshiba America Foundation makes grants for projects in math and science designed by classroom teachers to improve instruction for students in grades K-12. Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: Grades K-12.
Deadline: Decisions about grants under $5,000 are made on a rolling basis and applications are accepted throughout the year."

URL: http://www.taf.toshiba.com
Referred by: PEN

National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped

"National Library Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped offers a free library service, NLS Talking Books, to help people of all ages whose low vision, blindness, or physical handicap makes it difficult for them to read a standard printed page. Books & magazines on cassettes & in braille, as well as audio equipment, are mailed to individuals at no cost."

URL: http://www.loc.gov/nls
Referred by: EDInfo

Captain Planet Foundation funding for Environmental Projects

"The Captain Planet Foundation funds hands-on environmental projects to encourage youth around the world to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. Maximum Award: $2500. Eligibility: Schools and non-profits.
Deadlines: June 30, September 30, and December 31."

URL: http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/aboutUs.html#policies_grant_guidelines
Referred by: PEN

New Resource Kit Available

"Involving youth with adults in evaluation and action planning: The Youth and Adult Leaders for Program Excellence: A PrACTical Guide for Program Assessment and ACTion Planning: (YALPE Resource Kit) developed by a team led by Linda Camino and Shepherd Zeldin at University of Wisconsin Extension is designed for groups that are seeking to promote positive youth development through strategies of youth participation, civic engagement, youth voice and youth-adult partnership across a full range of contexts..."

URL: http://www.actforyouth.net/?yalpe
Referred by: EVALTALK - American Evaluation Association (AEA) Discussion List

Project-Based Learning Workshop at the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance Conference

Monica Biswas and Haejung Chung facilitated two training sessions at the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance Conference on "Project-based Learning: How-to-tools to Get Started." At these sessions on April 19th, 2005, two groups of local South Carolina afterschool educators and administrators experienced how to implement fun and engaging project-based learning activities in their afterschool programs...

URL: http://news.youthlearn.org/archives/000168.html

COMMUNITY PARTNERS ENHANCE LEARNING

"To learn at high levels, students need supports that schools alone cannot provide. Educators increasingly recognize that schools must form links with community partners to enhance student learning opportunities, but how can this be done effectively? The new issue of the Annenberg Institutes quarterly journal, Voices in Urban Education, looks at the latest thinking about community partnerships, with compelling examples of how partners can enhance learning opportunities for young people."

URL: http://www.annenberginstitute.org/VUE/index.html
Referred by: PEN Weekly NewsBlast

COMPARING EDUCATION TO SIX OTHER PROFESSIONS

"'Preparing and Training Professionals: Comparing Education to Six Other Fields,' published by The Finance Project and funded by The Ford Foundation, addresses the critical issue of how K-12 educators are prepared and trained. The comparison illuminates similarities and differences in the approaches taken to preparation and in-service training and also highlights important areas for further study and possible policy development. The report compares professional development -- both pre-service preparation and in-service training -- in education to six other professions: law, accounting, architecture, nursing, firefighting, and law enforcement...."

URL: http://www.financeproject.org/publications.asp
Referred by: PEN Weekly NewsBlast

Three Out-of-School Time Publications by Harvard Family Research Project

"We edited the Spring 2005 issue of the "New Directions for Youth Development" journal which focuses on Participation in Youth Programs: Enrollment, Attendance, and Engagement. We also have an article in the April 2005 issue of "The Prevention Researcher" journal entitled "Engaging Adolescents in Out-of-School Time Programs: Learning What Works." Finally, we also have an article entitled, "Finding the Right Hook: Strategies for Attracting and Sustaining Participation in After-School Programs" in the May 2005 issue of "The School Administrator" magazine.

URL: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/news1.html
Referred by: Harvard Family Research Project's out-of-school time updates

Make every day National Youth Service Day with Youth Venture and Youth Service America

"Turn your NYSD 2005 project into a sustainable community service venture or create new sustainable projects for NYSD 2006, April 21st-23rd. YSA and Youth Venture are offering funding to enable young people to engage in community service and make a difference in their world. Twenty awards of up to $1,000 in start-up funds will be available to young people (ages 12-20) who want to create sustainable new, 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 a NYSD event.

Applications must be received by 12:00 noon on June 13, 2005."

URL: http://www.youthventure.org/ysa
Referred by: Youth Venture National Update

SBC Foundation Launches 2005 SBC Excelerator Technology Grant Program

"The SBC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SBC Communications, Inc., has announced the opening of its 2005 SBC Excelerator technology grants program, which will award $6 million in competitive technology-related grants to enable nonprofit organizations in SBC's operating areas to integrate technology into their ongoing operations and community outreach. SBC Excelerator grants will help nonprofit organizations improve their operations and build stronger communities through: Internet Access... Online Outreach... Data Networking... Staff Development... One-year grants will range from $2,500 to $25,000. Collaborations by two or more organizations will be considered for one-year grants of up to $50,000. Grants will not be awarded for projects outside SBC operating areas."

URL: http://www.sbc.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=58
Referred by: Foundation Center RFP Bulletin

New Youth Web site! : What is Youthhood.org?

"What is Youthhood.org? Youthhood.org (also known as The Youthhood) is a free, dynamic Web-based curriculum and tool to help youth set goals and plan for the future. Although the site addresses youth directly, it is intended to be used in classrooms, community programs, or any other settings where adults work with youth. The Youthhood includes information, interactive activities, and a wealth of other tools to help youth connect their future goals to their academic learning."

URL: http://www.youthhood.org
Referred by: SafeYouth Listserv

NEA Foundation Grants

"Awards of $2000 to $5000 help teachers with professional development or project-based learning opportunities. Deadline: June 1, 2005"

URL: http://www.nfie.org/grants.htm
Referred by: Connect For Kids Weekly

What Works on the Web for Teens

"While a lot of time and effort goes into creating radio snippets, videos, and articles, few youth media nonprofits focus on making their website design appeal to teens. Others hire web specialists who may not be experts in teen design. As a result, some youth media groups' websites are more alluring to adults than to their target audience. This is a missed opportunity—no matter how strong the content, a website that is not designed with youth in mind will fail to attract teen visitors, according to a new study by the Nielsen Norman Group (NNG)..."

URL: http://www.ymreporter.org/archives/2005/04/what_works_on_t_1.html
Referred by: Youth Media Reporter

A Techtorial: Make a Concentration Game with Word

By Lorrie Jackson

"MAKE A CONCENTRATION GAME IN WORD!
Remember Concentration? Sets of cards with pairs of matching images (words or pictures) are turned face down. Players turn two cards over at a time. If the cards match, they remain face up. If they don't match, the cards are turned face down again and players must remember where those cards are (thus the "concentration" part of the game!). See the Dr. Seuss Cat's Concentration Game for an example of Concentration in action."

URL: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/techtorial/techtorial078.shtml
Referred by: Education World Newsletter -- Techtorials

Mountain Voices: Educational Website

"This website presents interviews with over 300 people who live in mountain and highland regions round the world. Their testimonies offer a personal perspective on change and development. The interviews on this site have been gathered by the Oral Testimony Programme of the Panos Institute in partnership with local organisations.... Visitors to the website can choose from a list of countries, including Mexico, Peru, Lesotho, Kenya, Ethiopia, Poland, Pakistan, India, Nepal and China. You may also search interviews by theme. Summaries are available for all visitors, but to access the full transcripts you must apply for a password through the site."

URL: http://www.mountainvoices.org
Referred by: Global TeachNet Announcements

Info: Special Interest group on afterschool at AERA

"Below is information that may be of interest to list subscribers concerning a special interest group (SIG) created at the recent AERA conference that would work to ensure representation of afterschool at the American Educational Research (AERA) conferences. If you are a member of AERA and also active in the afterschool or out-of-school time world, you may be interested in joining the group."

URL: http://listserv.aed.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0505&L=ppas&F=&S=&P=196
Referred by: Promising Practices in Afterschool