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How to Apply for the Robert L. Cannon Award:Since 2001, the NAR has awarded $10,000 in grants to educators who have an established model rocketry program in their classroom. Below are some tips that can help assure your school of receiving a $500 grant for using rocketry as an educational tool.Each application is reviewed by a committee of NAR members - these members consist of present and former trustees, the chairman of the education committee, the NAR treasurer and two members at-large. Each member judges the applications based on a "scoring guide" that consists of the following criteria: (1) General Evaluation, (2) Type of Activity and Need, (3) Involvement and Enthusiasm, (4) Academic Measure, (5) Publicity and NAR Affiliation and (6) Subjective Evaluation. Let's briefly look at these points - General Evaluation is simple, is the application complete and legible, signed and dated. Type of Activity and Need focuses on whether the activity is part of the school curriculum or conducted outside of the classroom, are the lesson materials based on materials already available or did you develop your own, and, is there a financial need of any kind. For example, are your trying to expand the activity, are you using your own money or donations? Involvement and Enthusiasm - 20 percent of the score - Are you enthusiastic about the activity, is it a winner in your classroom? Are other members of the faculty involved, or parents, some youth organization, the local hobby shop? Is there any public relations activity done, either within the school or in the community? Obviously, if you don't convey to us that you have the enthusiasm to sustain the activity, it won't last very long. Academic Measure - 25 percent of the score - Are sound scientific principles being taught? Is your activity an elective or part of a course of study? Is the activity only a day, a week, a semester? Although we don't want a book of what your program is about, a course outline, synopsis, or illustrations of what your are doing will mean much more to your score than simply sending a class schedule. We want to know what you are teaching and how rocketry is helping you teach. Publicity and NAR Affiliation - Although the application states that you do not have to be a NAR member to apply for the award, we encourage the use of our educational services, our members, and our sections (clubs). If you need help or assistance, NAR members are great at volunteering to help you with building or launch instructions. It has been our experience that although the "science" is not too difficult to master, many educators have little or no experience in the building and launching of the models. We're experts at that, and like Home Depot, "We can help." And, we do hope that you will consider becoming a NAR member, along with those students that you might have who have a passion for "rocket science." We are also looking to see if you are attempting to create interest in model rocketry by involving the school, your community or perhaps by getting published in the local newspaper or being on the evening news. Subjective Evaluation - This area cannot be defined, as each committee member responsible for "scoring" the application looks at what you have written and applies their own analysis to the material. We do not compare scores or notes among our members, so there is no "bias" to the scoring, neither is there any minimum score that an applicant must achieve (at least right now.) When you are submitting your application, consider the above - your application will receive more attention. The NAR is proud to be able to carry on the work of Bob Cannon, who spent many years at Estes Industries contacting thousands of educators across the nation and introducing them to the exciting world of model rocketry. You are simply an extension of that work - sparking the imagination of youth who will become our next generation of scientists, engineers and astronauts. If you have any questions or comments about the above, or in applying for the Cannon Award, please feel free to contact the NAR Treasurer, Stewart G. McNabb at smcnabb@ec.rr.com or by writing 209 Lee Rogers Rd., Hubert, NC 28539. Be sure and follow the instructions to get the most benefit from your application. Your "obligation" upon receiving an award is to provide an article of your activity (with photos, if possible) to be used in Sport Rocketry magazine. Download the Cannon Award Application Form |
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