The Christopher Columbus Awards is a national, community-based science and technology program for middle school students. The program challenges students to work in teams (with an adult coach) to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem. Eight finalist teams and their coaches will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World to attend National Championship Week and compete for U.S. Savings Bonds, the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant, and a $200 development grant.

Sponsored by the NSF, ITEST provides grants to projects that engage K-12 students or teachers in any area of the science technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. The Foundation is especially interested in projects that explore cyberlearning, specifically tools such as networked computing and communications technologies in K-12 settings. ITEST also supports research studies and the development, implementation, testing, and scale-up of implementation models.

The NCTI will fund research that informs the development of assistive and learning technology to improve educational results for all students, particularly those with disabilities. Eligible applicants should be collaborative teams that propose a study involving at least one researcher and one vendor to examine the effectiveness of a technology product in improving educational results for students. The technology product should be innovative, beneficial for students with disabilities, and have wide market appeal. Up to four awards of $20,000 will be made in 2010.

Computers for Learning (CFL) places computers in classrooms, prepares children to contribute and compete in the 21st century, and allows government agencies and the private sector to transfer surplus computers and related equipment to schools and educational nonprofit organizations. A school is eligible to receive donations through the Computers for Learning program if is a public, private, parochial, or home school serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students. Special consideration will be given to institutions located in federal empowerment zones and enterprise communities.

Digital Wish helps teachers find funding for classroom technology. All teachers who submit a lesson plan will be automatically entered to win up to 43 technology grants. Through Digital Wish, teachers can tell their stories and let the world know how they will use technology in the classroom. Class stories will be publicly posted so that potential donors can make a contribution.

Microsoft's Fresh Start for Donated Computers program helps primary and secondary (K-12) schools ensure donated computers are properly licensed so students and teachers can gain additional access to technology. The program offers Windows 2000 licenses and operating systems and provides free license documentation and Windows installation CDs for donated personal computers. To qualify, personal computers must have been received as a donation, operate on a previously-installed original Windows operating system, and run on Intel Pentium III (or equivalent) and older processors.

The Northrop Grumman Foundation provides support for education opportunities to the nation’s youth. The foundation is committed to supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs that span pre-college through collegiate levels. It contributes various amounts to organizations defined as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation gives up to $200 for science and math programs. AIAA Educator Associates who are K-12 teachers and who apply science, mathematics, and technology in their curriculum are welcome to apply. Grants may be used for classroom demonstration kits, classroom science supplies, or other materials that energize science, math, and technology hands-on learning.