DYCD sponsored the culminating event for "A Chapter in My Life", an author-led book discussion and writing project designed to support reading and creative writing. Participants included young men from Pelham Preparatory Academy in the Bronx, who wrote about their personal experiences during a series of writing workshops with author J.R. Martinez, Iraq war veteran, actor, motivational speaker and Daniel José Older, published author, and college instructor. Their collective essays were published as anthology entitled, Experience Our Story: Young Men On the Rise. The event was held at the Celeste Bartos Forum at the main branch of the New York Public Library in midtown on May 15th.

Public Art Fund announces Please Touch the Art, a major new exhibition by Danish artist Jeppe Hein featuring 18 playful sculptures designed specifically for public interaction at Brooklyn Bridge Park including three distinct bodies of work: Mirror Labyrinth, Appearing Rooms and Modified Social Benches. The most comprehensive exhibition of his work ever presented in public space in the United States. Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman Street, (at Joralemon Street) Brooklyn, NY 11201

Mother Nature seems to burst out in spring, and so can you as Wave Hill celebrate 25 years of the Family Art Project and 50 years of Wave Hill! Come bring your thanks and spirit to the Family Art Project, where you can make simple flower shakers and leafy costumes. Join visiting artist Virva Hinnemo to make nature-inspired wagon floats for a bold and grand flowery parade! Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471, (718) 549-3200

In just eight years, the World Science Festival has become a can't-miss-it New York City cultural event, sparking curiosity in every corner of every borough. The Festival returns this year at the end of May, when hundreds of thousands will gather for a glorious five-day celebration of science.

The 2015 Festival will feature more than fifty engaging events of all types, including main stage programs and intimate salons where the world's top scientists discuss big ideas, a special series of events celebrating the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity, youth and family offerings like Cool Jobs and apprenticeships, and perennial favorites like Stargazing and the Flame Challenge, in which scientists attempt to answer big questions for an audience of eleven-year-olds. (This year's challenge is: "What is sleep?") Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 10:00am - 6:00pm, Washington Square Park.

The William T. Grant Foundation was established in 1936 by William Thomas Grant, founder of the national chain of W.T. Grant Stores. Mr. Grant’s philosophy about human behavior and philanthropy were well ahead of his time. He believed that human relationships and the environment were powerful forces in shaping our abilities to lead successful lives. The William T. Grant Foundation is a grant making foundation that invests in research with the potential to advance theory, policy, and practice related to children and youth in the United States. This career development program supports promising early-career researchers with interests in reducing inequality or understanding the use of research evidence. Four to six William T. Grant Scholars are selected each year, and each receives $350,000 distributed over a five-year period.

This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are enrolled part-time at eligible institutions in New York State. The student must demonstrate financial need and meet income eligibility limitations set by the New York Higher Education Commission. The award amount is up to $2,000 annually for part-time undergraduate study at participating institutions in New York State. Awards cannot exceed tuition charges.

To apply, students should obtain an APTS application from the college the student will be attending. Since funds are limited, the student should complete the application and return it to the college as early as possible for processing.

The Sixth Annual New York Times Summer Reading Contest

Every Friday from June 12, 2015 - August 14, 2015

Every Friday from June 12 through Aug. 14 The New York Times pose the same question: "What interested you most in The Times this week?" Anyone 13 to 19 years old from anywhere in the World can post an answer, and contestants can choose from any Times article, essay, video, interactive or photograph published in 2015, on any topic they like. Every Tuesday starting June 30 The Times will announce winners from a previous week and publish them on their blog.