Education notebook

FREE COLLEGE PREP COURSE COMING TO SAHARA WEST LIBRARY

The Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave., has a college preparation lecture scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 3 to highlight strategies for applying to top-tier colleges. The program is sponsored by the Princeton Review and Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 734-2255.

ADELSON EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS HOSTS FUNDRAISER BOOK FAIR

The Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus, 9700 Hillpointe Road, hosted its 11th annual Scholastic book fair from Dec. 4-8 to raise funds for the campus' classrooms. Gently used books also were collected and donated to Spread the Word Nevada.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE

The National Environmental Education Foundation is offering $1,000 grants to high school students to implement wildlife conservation projects in their schools or communities. The grants are offered by the foundation's Planet Connect program, a youth engagement initiative.

For more information, visit planetconnect.org/2012wcgrants. Applications are due Feb. 1.

ROBOT DESIGN CONTEST OPEN TO CLARK COUNTY STUDENTS

National Security Technologies is offering education grants for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math programs. Grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners.

Teams must submit a written solution that addresses the following Robots In Real Life scenario:

"A four-room house has been flooded and has a very serious mold and mildew infestation. What kind of robot would your team design that could autonomously map the floors and walls for water, mold and mildew? Provide a design concept for the controls and sensors, and a sketch of the robot. Reports must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins, and four pages or less."

Applications, including a letter of recommendation, will be accepted through Thursday.

For more information, visit nstec.com or call Mona Higgins at 295-5428 or Shari Morrison at 295-2843.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFERS OPEN ENROLLMENT

The Clark County School District is accepting applications through Jan. 6 for its Open Enrollment program, which allows students to attend a school outside their zone. Families can apply at ccsd.net and find a list of schools with space available. Students selected for Open Enrollment will attend their new schools beginning in the 2012-13 school year.

Students are responsible for transportation to and from the school. This is the district's second year offering the program.

FREE BOWLING OFFERED FOR GOOD GRADES

Students with A's and B's on their report cards can receive free games of bowling at the bowling centers at the Gold Coast, Sam's Town and the Suncoast. Boyd Gaming's Making the Grade program will award two free games for every A and one free game for every B.

The program is open to all elementary, middle and high school students. A report card and registration in Kidz Klub, a free bowling rewards program, is required.

Free games can be used from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, based on availability. There is a limit of one free game daily.

Additional games are $1 each, and shoe rental is $1. A parent or guardian is required for children 12 or younger.

BOOKER ELEMENTARY school STUDENTS RECEIVE FOOTWEAR

Students at Booker Elementary School, 2277 N. Martin L King Blvd., received free shoes this month from the Public Education Foundation and Payless ShoeSource. As part of the Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids program, the most needy students were allowed to pick out a pair of shoes Dec. 19 at a North Las Vegas store.

About 150 kids from Booker, McCall, Fitzgerald, Kelly and Williams elementary schools participated in the program.

HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION DONATES GIFT BAGS TO CORTEZ ELEMENTARY

The Las Vegas Hospitality Association hosted Operation Spread the Cheer Dec. 15 at Cortez Elementary School, 4245 E. Tonopah Ave.

The event included face painting, balloon sculptures, food and beverages, along with the distribution of gift bags filled by the association with shoes, shirts, sweat suits or warm clothing, toys and other necessities for the students.

FIREFIGHTERS of southern nevada DONATE TO CAHLAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation delivered toys to Cahlan Elementary School, 2801 Fort Sumter Drive, Dec. 15 as part of its 10th annual Fill the Fire Truck Toy Drive. Using community-donated items collected at local Walmart stores, the foundation delivered thousands of gifts to students at Cahlan and other schools.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO ITALIAN STUDENTS

The Sons of Italy Las Vegas Lodge 2158 is accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors of Italian descent. The lodge will award $500 scholarships to students pursuing a college education. Awards will be based on grades, school activities, community service and an essay. Applications are available at sonsofitalylasvegas.com and are due April 1. For more information, call 896-1987.

Other scholarships for students of Italian descent are being offered by the Grand Lodge of California at sonsofitalyca.org. Applications are due March 1.

The Sons of Italy Foundation offers 10 to 12 merit-based scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 as part of a nationwide competition. For more information, visit osia.org/students/scholarships. Applications are due Feb. 28.

READING PROGRAM NEEDS MENTORS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Spread the Word Nevada's reading mentor program, Books and Buddies, is seeking volunteers to help students in kindergarten through fifth grade improve reading proficiency. Spread the Word Nevada matches adult mentors with elementary students at 26 at-risk schools.

Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of one hour per week for 12 weeks. Training will be provided, and background checks are required.

For more information, call volunteer coordinator Libbi Erickson at 564-7809 or email libbi@spreadthewordnevada.org.