Hooked on Hydroponics
The 2007 “Hooked on Hydroponics Awards” offer prizes to elementary, middle and high schools that turn plants grown hydroponically (without soil) into learning adventures. The awards program, co-sponsored by the National Gardening Association, will award 24 schools with indoor lighting, hydroponic gardening systems, curricula, activity books and more. The program is open to schools and organizations that plan to garden with at least 15 students between the ages of 3 and 18 during 2007. For details and an application, visit www.kidsgardening.org and click on the Grants section.

Math, Science Honors
May 1 is the application deadline for the Presidential Awards in mathematics and science. The 2007 awards recognize exceptional teachers in grades 7-12 in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Defense Department schools and the U.S. territories. Award winners demonstrate  deep content knowledge and evidence of student progress in their disciplines. Winners receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., for a weeklong series of recognition events and professional development, a presidential citation and more. To nominate a teacher, visit www.paemst.org.

Labor Lessons
“Work, Money and Power: Unions in the 21st Century” is a 24-page booklet that provides an introduction to unions for new members, schools and the public. The publication was written by Fred Glass, communications director for the California Federation of Teachers/AFT. It offers basic information on unions and also details how recent years of anti-worker politics have combined with a decades-long employer offensive against workers and their unions. The result is that workers have experienced lower wages, failing healthcare coverage, deteriorating health and eroding safety standards. The booket costs $1.25 ($1 each for orders of 100 or more). To order, call 510/643-7089.

This Old Box
Disposing of old computers, laptops and other electronics can be tricky business—demanding both environmental awareness and knowledge of identity theft dangers. The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) offers useful guidance on the options available for donating, selling or recycling used electronics. By visiting the E-Cycling Central Web site at www.eiae.org, consumers can search for local and national options for managing used electronics. E-Cycling Central provides information on how to make responsible decisions when recycling electronics as well as important tips on how to protect data.

Taxing Matters
Educators will again be able to claim a deduction for out-of-pocket classroom costs on their federal income tax returns. Teachers and other educators (including classroom aides and counselors) can deduct as much as $250 that they spent to purchase classroom supplies last year. Specific instructions for claiming the deduction are available on the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov. Enter “educator expense deduction” in the search box.

WENI, WIDI, WIKI
The Citizendium, a project aimed at creating a new free encyclopedia online, has completed its pilot project and is moving toward public launch. The project, started by a founder of Wikipedia, aims to improve on the Wikipedia model by adding “gentle expert oversight” and requiring contributors to use their real names. Since the Citizendium pilot project began last November, more than 150 expert editors and 350 authors have joined, creating hundreds of articles, testing the concept and software, and participating in lively discussion on the future shape of the project.To create a user account, visit www.citizendium.org.

Women’s History 2007
 “Generations of Women Moving History Forward” is the theme of National Women’s History Month in March. The National Women’s History Project will spotlight the role of women in such key events as the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., and the 30th anniversary of the first National Women’s Conference in Houston (organized under the theme “We Are Here To Move History Forward”). Many resources to help bring the event into the classroom are available in the resource center of the project’s Web site, www.nwhp.org.

Thought to Word
April is National Poetry Month, and to help schools celebrate the occasion, the American Academy of Poets will distribute almost 200,000 of its National Poetry Month 2007 posters to schools, libraries bookstores and community centers nationwide. This year’s poster was created by illustrator and graphic designer Christoph Niemann and is available from the academy’s Web site, www.poets.org.  Copies of posters from previous years also are available for $5 each. And be sure to check out “tips for teaching poetry” and other materials in the site’s “for educators” section.

Wonder of Wonders
The National Academy of Sciences has recently launched Iwaswondering.org, a site to encourage young people, especially girls, to pursue an interest in science. Featured at www.iwaswondering.org are interactive resources and activities designed for middle school students. The site also includes science labs, games and a parent-teacher guide. The site is the companion Web site to the Women’s Adventures in Science book series. The Web site and book series showcase the accomplishments of contemporary women in science and highlight the careers of some of today’s most prominent scientists.