Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program awards $2,000–$5,000 to public K–12 schools and their nonprofit parent groups. Projects that have a permanent impact, such as facility enhancement, and those that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit get preference. Apply online at www.toolboxforeducation.com. Hurry! The deadline is October 12, 2012.

The Fulbright Teacher Exchange program awards grants so grades K–12 teachers can teach and study abroad. In one program (application deadline October 15, 2012), teachers exchange positions with teachers from other countries for one semester or academic year. In another program (deadline December 15, 2012), teachers attend a foreign university for three to six months. Get all the facts at fulbrightteacherexchange.org.

Challenge your students to help others and improve their community on the 22nd annual Make a Difference Day, to be held this year on October 27. People of all ages clean up parks, collect food or clothing for the homeless, and do other projects that help others. Ten outstanding projects will receive $10,000 each. Visit makeadifferenceday.com for an entry form, a brochure, a marketing guide, and a youth toolkit.

The Creative Communication poetry and essay contests recognize student writers in grades K–12. The top ten winners in each grade division will each receive a $25 check and a free copy of the anthology created from the contest. The next essay contest deadline is October 18, 2012; the next poetry contest deadline is December 6, 2012. For rules and entry forms, log on to poeticpower.com.

Last year, more than 20,000 schools participated in I Love to Write Day. Scheduled for November 15, 2012, the event gives people of all ages a chance to practice their skills by writing poems, essays, letters to the editor, short stories, and more. Schools with the most creative ways to celebrate can win books. For more information, including suggested activities, check out www.ilovetowriteday.org.

In the Healthy School Makeover contest, one K–12 school will win $45,000 worth of sports equipment and health and wellness curriculum and training packages. The deadline is in mid-November. To enter, submit a short video explaining why your school needs a makeover and how it will make students' lives healthier. Videos will be posted on bit.ly/HealthySchoolContest, where you'll also find more information.

Carton art can win your school $5,000! The Made by Milk Carton Construction Contest, which promotes carton recycling and milk consumption, invites classroom teams to design and construct a creation based on a specific theme using empty school milk cartons. The theme for this year's contest, sponsored by Evergreen Packaging, is habitats. For official rules, contest details, and creative ideas, visit www.madebymilkcontest.com. The deadline for entries is November 16, 2012.

Girls in grades 5–8 who are passionate about science can apply for an "Angela" Award from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). One student will receive a $1,000 savings bond and be honored at the NSTA National Conference. The deadline is November 30, 2012. Visit www.nsta.org/faraday for an application, a checklist of requirements, and more details.