Students in grades 7-12 are invited to It Takes a Community! Education Summit. This event is for first-generation African American, Latino, Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander students and their families and will include workshops on preparing for college financial aid, and more. 

Date and location: March 8, 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; CSU East Bay, Hayward Campus

For info: Call (510) 885-3516 or visit their website  

This annual Youth Summit unites sixth- through twelfth-grade youth with local dignitaries, mentors, and community leaders for an incredible day complete with exploration, education, and entertainment. The event is a community effort to build healthy attributes such as self esteem, honesty, and integrity. The goal is to assist students in constructing the foundation they need to be successful by equipping them with experiences that will enhance their personal and social standards. The interactive workshops provided at the Youth Summit will offer life skills, assist with career development, and provide a venue for appropriate activities that reduce the risk of undesirable behavior.

Date and Location: May 3, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; Los Medanos College, Pittsburg

This conference will provide approximately 100 foster care/kinship/ transitioning youth with an opportunity to engage in workshops on health and wellness, mentoring, employment development, personal care, life skills, expression through music and college readiness.

Date and location: March 8, 9:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; DeJean Middle School, Richmond

For info: Contact Michelle Milam or visit their website  

Judges are needed to ensure the 400+ science fair projects, expected to be submitted by middle and high school students this year, have an opportunity to be reviewed by our valued community members, including business and industry, at the Ninth Annual Contra Costa County 2014 Science and Engineering Fair. Judges' commitment of eight hours is critical to the process which includes morning review of poster boards and afternoon interviews with students. Along with the orientation and judging, breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Date and location: March 21, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; Los Medanos College, Pittsburg  

For info: Contact Liz Ritchie at (925) 684-4995 or visit the Science & Engineering Fair's website 

The 2014 Contra Costa County Science & Engineering Fair welcomes all to attend and view numerous projects submitted this year by county middle- and high-school students. Attendees can observe the presentations and experiments up close, as well as talk to the students who entered them.

Date and location: March 22; 10:30-11:30 a.m.; Los Medanos College, (Science Building), Pittsburg

For info: Contact Liz Ritchie at (925) 684-4995 or visit the Science & Engineering Fair's website

Fee: Free

The Warren W. Eukel Teacher Trust Fund annually distributes three separate $10,000 grants to outstanding teachers. The Trust will select nominees who exhibit extraordinary commitment of personal time and energy on behalf of their students. Teachers can self-nominate, or be nominated by an administrator, colleague, or student. The award may be used in any manner the recipient wishes.

For info: Contact Peggy Toovey at (925) 945-0200 or visit their website

Deadline: April 30

The Dow Promise grant program was initiated to fund one-time, tangible project costs that have long-term sustainable benefits for the community. Primarily focusing on positively impacting the educational and economic challenges faced by African-American youth and adults in communities where Dow employees live and work, Dow Promise grants are awarded to projects involving science, technology, engineering, and/or math. Applicants can make a request of up to $25,000, and must provide an itemized budget for the program or project, including the intended use of Dow Promise grant money.  

The CCCOE Educational Services and the Learning Resources Display Center (LRDC) is hosting a CCSS Mathematics Publisher's Fair for the recently State Adopted K-8 Math Programs. Due to the large volume of adopted programs we will be hosting three different events: Basic Grade Level K-6/8 Programs, Basic Middle Grades and Algebra, & Basic Grade Level Programs that are technology based, including Online Courseware, and Digital programs. (Thirty-one programs were adopted January 15, 2014).

Join the Judiciary of California and Constitutional Rights Foundation in celebrating the Bill of Rights with the Fifth Annual First Amendment Cartoon Contest. The contest is open to K-12 students nationwide. Six winners will each receive a $50 gift certificate.  In addition, up to five entries will receive honorable mentions. Winners and honorable mentions will be announced on Law Day, May 1.

For info: Visit their  website and/or download the contest flyer 

Deadline: March 15 

KidsGardening.com is a website that has plenty ideas about plants and gardens, teacher resources, and grant opportunities. 

The Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club will once again sponsor the 28th Annual Fifth Grade Story Contest. Current fifth-grade students attending schools in Contra Costa or Alameda counties are eligible to compete for a number of cash prizes.

For info: Contact the Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club via their website

Deadline: March 12

Fee: $1 per submission, only one submission per student 

This annual contest provides a wonderful opportunity for students, grades 9-12, to learn about our legal system and justice, while getting creative and winning prizes. Students are allowed to submit an art piece, which may be represented in two-dimensions to be entered in the Law Day Art Contest. Students are encouraged to use their creativity and create art pieces in any medium desired (including, but not limited to, drawings, paintings, films, photographs, graphic novels, comics, etc.). This year's theme is American Democracy and the Rule of Law: Why Every Vote Matters

Across the Bay Area at more than 200 free tax sites, trained volunteer tax preparers help individuals and families claim their maximum benefit and refund. We partner with hundreds of community organizations and other free tax preparation providers such as Tax-Aid and AARP Tax-Aide to process over 64,000 tax returns each year. We provide low to moderate income households with free, quality tax return preparation and access to asset building or income support resources such as public benefits, low or no cost bank accounts or financial education. We also ensure eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can amount to as much as $5,891 per family. 

For info: Dial 211 or visit their website

Fee: Free