Kids' Science Challenge

Deadline: 31 December 2010
Description: The 3rd Kids Science Challenge is a nationwide competition for third to sixth graders. Students can enter as individuals or teams, sending in an idea for one of these topics:

• Magical Microbes - can you come up with a new way that microorganisms can help us?
• Super Stuff for Sports -using materials science, can you find a way to make your favorite sport safer or more fun?
• Sensational Sounds - can you dream up a new kind of musical instrument?

If their idea is chosen, they get to visit and collaborate with a scientist or engineer to see their idea come alive, plus win other fun prizes.  The first thousand entrants receive a free hands-on science kit, with activities in each of our science topics.

More Information: You can find more information at the Kids Science Challenge website.

Optimus Prime Spinoff Award Contest

Deadline: Register before 12 November 2010; Submit videos before 31 December 2010.
Description: NASA and Hasbro, the maker of Transformers, are teaming up to highlight spinoffs, technologies developed by NASA that are transformed into things that are used daily. Spinoff examples include water purifiers, medical imaging software, or fabric that protects against UV rays.

To enter students make a three to five minute videos on a selected NASA spinoff technology listed in the 2009 Spinoff publication. Videos must demonstrate an understanding of the NASA spinoff technology and the associated NASA mission, as well as the commercial application and public benefit associated with the "transformed" technology.

For more info: visit the Optimus Prime Spinoff Award website at http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov/optimus. Questions about this contest should be directed to Darryl Mitchell at Darryl.R.Mitchell@nasa.gov.

“My Place in Space” Art Contest

Deadline:1 November 2010
Description: The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is sponsoring the “My Place in Space” art contest. The contest is open to students in grades 2-4 who are residents of the United States. This year's contest invites young scientists and artists to explore our solar system and beyond. Artwork will be judged by a panel including artists, educators and scientists.

More Info: For more information about the contest and to find related educational materials, visit www.strategies.org/ArtContest. Questions about this contest should be directed to info@strategies.org.

PTA Refections Contest

Deadline: 20 October 2010
Description: Each year, the PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. The 2010–2011 theme is “Together we can…”

Students submit artwork to our local PTA. Works are judged at the school level and the winning entries advance to the council, district, region, and/or state PTA level. Top state award–winning entries advance to the national level of judging.

Students may submit works in any of six arts areas:

• Dance choreography
• Film production
• Literature
• Musical composition
• Photography
• Visual arts

 More Information: For details contact Amy Pool at amypoole*gmail.com or Amy Fox at amy*bla-dam.com (replace * with @).

Boy's Life Reading Contest

Deadline: 31 December 2010
Description: Each year the Scouting magazine, Boys' Life, sponsors a reading contest. The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers — girls included. Everyone who enters will get a free patch and if you are a Scout you can even wear it on your uniform.

Now here is a hint. Just enter one of your Book Talks.

More Information: Read more about this contest at the Boys' Life Reading Contest site.

IAA Art Competition

Deadline: 13 October 2010 Extended to 3 Dec 2010.
Description: Students from 10-17 years of age are invited to address the question "What is the future of human space exploration and why is it important." Artwork can be visual, literary, musical, or digital art.

The competition winners will receive a certificate of achievement and other prizes.  The winning art will be displayed in the online gallery for the world to see and also on-site at the Humans in Space Symposium where current human space exploration leaders, including astronauts and scientists, will see what you have to say.

More Information: Guidelines and how to enter can be found at
http://www.dsls.usra.edu/meetings/IAA/artContest/

Design a Sport for Mars

The Kids Science Challenge, with support from NASA’s Imagine Mars Project, is asking students in grades 3 through 6 to consider what sports might be played by members of the first martian community. Students must submit their very own ideas for a game suitable for the red planet by Feb. 28, 2010. Winners will work with engineers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to flesh out their plans and bring their sport into reality (at least on Earth).

Mars scientist Ashwin Vasavada will work with the winning student(s). “I don’t know what to expect,” he said. “I imagine the ideas will be as extreme as the environment on Mars!”  Engineer Suparna Mukherjee said, “This is an awesome opportunity for kids to tackle a difficult challenge in a really fun way.”

Funded by a four-year grant from The National Science Foundation, the Kids’ Science Challenge offers elementary-school-age children the opportunity to practice real science and to work with scientists and engineers. Over 770 students entered last year’s competition and even more are expected to enter this year.

Enter Contest:  www.kidsciencechallenge.com

More information about Imagine Mars: http://imaginemars.jpl.nasa.gov