Office of Educational Services & Support

Student Opportunities

NOTE: Presentation of any particular curriculum does not constitute endorsement, approval or recommendation for adoption of that curriculum. All selection of curricular programs or items should be made by local school boards or administrators.

1. The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes This award honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet.  Each year they recognize 10 winners nationwide.  Five have focused on helping their communities and fellow beings and five have focused on protecting the health and sustainability of the environment. 
2. Character is Cool Contest The Character's Cool Contest is a national online contest to help middle and high school students reflect on what it means to have good character.
3. Aesops Fables 
4. American Documents
5. World Fact Book 2001
6. Do-gooder - Website detailing specific needs we can fill around the world
7. Justice for Kids and Youth
8. Earthcam
9. Fact Monster
10. Health Activities
11. Kids Government Site
12. Kids Philosophy Slam
13. Tiger Woods Start Something Program
14. Don't Laugh at Me 
15. Laws of Life Contest. This is a contest where young people write essays about the law(s) of life that made a difference in their lives. More information is available on the web site. 
16. The Prudential Spirit of Community Award  This award honors middle and high school student who exemplify exceptional service to their communities.
17. Caring Award: The Caring Institute seeks nomination of students age 18 or younger who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, caring and selflessness. Five winners will each receive a $2,000 college scholarship, an expenses paid trip to Washington, and a place in the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans. Contact: Caring Institute, 320 A St. N.E., Washington, DC 20002; (202) 547-4273; e-mail: imquiry@caring-institute.org. 
18. Community Service: Prudential Insurance's Spirit of Community Initiative is accepting applications for the Prudential Youth Leadership Institute for high school students who demonstrate leadership potential in their comminutes. Participants in the program complete 30 hours of curriculum work and a community service project that they choose, create, and implement. Contact: Points of Light Foundation, 1400 I St. N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 729-8000
19. Creativity: Creative Kids Magazine, a product of Prufrock Press, a publisher of literature to support the education of gifted children, requests submissions from students ages 8-14. Original cartoons, songs, stories of 800-900 words, puzzles, photographs, artwork, games, activities, editorials, poetry and plays are excepted. Students whose materials are selected for publication will receive a free copy of Creative Kids issue in which their work appears. Contact: Submissions Editor, C.K., PO Box 8813, Waco, TX 76714-8813; (800) 998-2208
20. Environmental Newspaper: Greentimes, an environmental newspaper written by and for students, requests stories, opinions, comments and ideas for publication. Contact: Elizabeth Gilmore, Greentimes, 55 Reservoir St. Cambridge, MA 02138; (617) 868-5760; email:  habitat@greenscreen.org. 
21. History Journal: The Concord Review, the only quarterly journal to publish secondary students' academic work, accepts student essays on historical topics. Essays should be approximately 5,000 words, plus endnotes. Submissions chosen for publication are eligible for the Emerson Prize, a $3000 award. Contact: CR, PO Box 661, Concord, MA 01742; (800) 331-5007 or (978) 443-0022; e-mail: fitshugh@tcr.org 
22. Pen pals: World Pen Pals promotes international friendship and cultural understanding between young people around the world. Students in grades 4 through college are invited to request an overseas pen pal. Teachers may request a brochure on class participation. Contact: WPP, PO Box 337, Saugerties, NY 12477; (914) 246-7828.
23. Student videos: CNN Student Bureau, CNN's student newsgathering and reporting program, publishes student-produced writing and videos. Participation is open to schools, colleges and universities worldwide. Contact CNNSB, 1 CNN Center, PO Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30348-5366; (800) 344-6219
24. Kids in the House: provides legislative and historical information about the US House of Representatives. It is targeted to a middle school audience.
25. Senate Youth Program: DOE will select two delegates to represent South Dakota in the Program. Selections will be based on the results of a Qualifying Examination and on demonstrated qualities of leadership. Delegates will attend the Senate Youth Program in Washington, DC, and will also be awarded a scholarship. Contact Terri Cordrey, 605-773-4662 or e-mail terri.cordrey@state.sd.us  for further information.
26. Congress for Kids: This page gives you access to interactive, fun-filled experiences designed to help you learn about the foundation of our federal government and how its actions affect you.
27. Igniting Creative Energy Challenge: This is an educational challenge designed to encourage studetns to learn more about energy and the environment.
28. Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grants: These provide a unique opportunity for high school students to gain hands-on experience in the exciting and rewarding world of invention. These are awarded annually.
29. Youth Leaders for Literacy is an initiative of the National Education Association (NEA) and Youth Service America (YSL) to help direct the enthusiasm and creativity of youth into reading-related service opportunities.
30. Sir Charles Blues Lab and the Afterschool Alliance are co-sponsoring a songwriting contest. Students between the ages of 13 and 19 may enter their blues lyrics and become one of five winners.