Contests

2009-2010 Writing Challenge
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/exquisiteprompt
The Reading Rockets and AdLit.org Exquisite Prompt challenge is an activity that gives K-12 students a chance each month (October through June) to flex their writing muscles with writing prompts — and win fabulous prizes!
Deadline: Jun 30, 2010


2010 Trash to Treasure Competition
http://pbskids.org/designsquad/contest/
Recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into an out-of-the-box invention. - Your invention should: Move things or people or Protect the environment or Be used for indoor or outdoor play. For ages 5-19. Enter online from April 5 to September 5, 2010.
Deadline: Sep 05, 2010


Christian Writing Contest 2010
http://christianwritingcontest.com/contest2010/
Athanatos Christian Ministries (ACM) wants to inspire young Christians to take up the pen and promote the Christian world view through fiction. ACM believes that the the secular world is constantly promoting itself through the arts and that Christians should be prepared to fight back. Thus, the Gospel of Christ should be communicated through music, movies, plays, art … and literature. The purpose of this writing contest is to create a culture of quality writing reflecting a Christian world view.
Deadline: Sep 01, 2010


Civil Rights Defense Fund Writing Contest
http://www.nradefensefund.org/writingcontest.aspx
The NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund(NRACRDF) is once again sponsoring an essay contest celebrating the Second Amendment as an integral part of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The theme for the essay is “The Second Amendment to the Constitution: Why it is important to our nation.” Essays will be judged in two categories: Senior (grades 10-12) and Junior (grades 9 and below), with separate prizes awarded to the winners in each category. First prizes are $1,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds; second prizes, $600 in Savings Bonds; third prizes, $200 in Savings Bonds; and honorable mention, $100 in Savings Bonds. The entry deadline for this contest is December 1, 2010. Essay contest winners will be selected by the NRACRDF and notified in early 2011. Winners will have their names published in InSights, and one of the Official Journals.
Deadline: Dec 01, 2010




Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge
http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/
The Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge is the only science contest of its kind for students in grades 5 through 8, fostering the exploration, understanding and communication of science among America's youth.
Deadline: May 27, 2010


First Freedom Student Competition 2009/2010
http://www.firstfreedom.org/education/students.html
The First Freedom Student Competition is a first-semester national essay contest, offering high-school students an opportunity to compete for a $3,000, $1,500 and $750 award, as they examine religious freedom, its history, current importance, and relevance in their lives. The competition is open to students in the United States and U.S. territories, and to American schools and American home-schooled students worldwide. We invite 9th - 12th grade students at all levels of academic placement to participate. The online student registration deadline is Monday, November 22, 2010. The postmark deadline for mailing the essay and its accompanying materials is Saturday, November 27, 2010. Winners will be announced on April 13, 2011, Thomas Jefferson's birthday. (Click on the yellow buttons above for the topic, guidelines, and other important details.)
Deadline: Nov 22, 2010


Funky Nests in Funky Places 2010
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/celebration/
Have you noticed any bird nests in your neighborhood? Go outside! Peek in a hanging flower basket, old boot, barbecue grill, or street lamp. Take a picture, share a video, do some artwork, or write a poem. Just show a funky nest in a funky place! Challenge ends July 1.
Deadline: Jul 01, 2010



National Peace Essay Contest
http://www.usip.org/ed/npec/topic.html
The topic is Governance, Corruption, and Conflict. To participate, students are asked to answer the queston: For those who hope to prevent violent conflict, how can their efforts to reduce, if not eliminate, corruption best contribute to building sustainable peace using two cases of countries in transition from war to peace?
Deadline: Feb 01, 2011


Olive Garden Pasta Tales Essay Writing Contest
http://www.olivegarden.com/company/community/pasta_tales.asp
Reading, writing and arithmetic — no matter the subject, teachers often leave their mark on students, inspiring them to strive for success and reach their goals. In recognition of teachers across North America, Olive Garden has announced the topic for its 14th-annual Pasta Tales essay writing contest: “Describe a teacher who has inspired you in school and how they have impacted your life.” Now through December 11, Olive Garden’s Pasta Tales contest will give young writers in first- through 12th-grade in the U.S. and Canada the opportunity to share their stories in essays of 50 to 250 words. Pasta Tales entry forms and complete rules are available at www.olivegarden.com/company/community/pasta_tales.asp and after Oct. 26 at local Olive Garden restaurants.
Deadline: Dec 11, 2010


Profiles in Courage Essay Contest
http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education+and+Public+Programs/Profile+in+Courage+Award/Essay+Contest+for+High+School+Students/ The annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites high school students from across the nation to write an original essay about an elected official who has demonstrated political courage. The contest is a companion program of the Profile in Courage Award, named for President Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage, which recounts the stories of eight senators, the obstacles they faced, and the special valor they demonstrated despite the risks.
Deadline: Jan 01, 2011


Save My Planet Challenge
http://bkfk.com/Modules/Competition/Competition.aspx?section=sayit
Your ideas have the power to make the world a better place! Enter your original eco-friendly ideas to the Save My Planet Challenge and get this planet rewired! The best idea will receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. Deadline: May 25, 2010, 3:00 pm(et)
Deadline: May 25, 2010


U.S. Constitution Day Poster Contest
http://govdocs4children.pbworks.com/Celebrate+Constitution+Day+with+us!
Constitutionfacts.com is the national sponsor of the Annual GovDoc Kids Group U.S. Constitution Day Poster Contest for students, an international contest promoted exclusively through the Internet. To compete, the contest invites K-12 entrants (including homeschoolers) to celebrate Constitution Day (Sept. 17) by designing a poster showing how they benefited from the freedoms embodied in the U.S. Constitution. Entries must be postmarked by October 1 of each year. The first 100 entrants receive a free pocket constitution book from constitutionfacts.com, with the contest winner receiving additional prizes! To learn more, download the Constitution Day Poster Design Contest entry form.
Deadline: Oct 01, 2010



Young Composers Challenge
http://www.youngcomposerschallenge.com/
The Young Composers Challenge is open to young musicians ages 13 to 18 who are U.S. residents. The Challenge is simple. First, you can take part in a free full-day workshop with world-renowned composers. Then you will have all summer to write your own score. Finally, a panel of judges will choose the top three orchestral and top three ensemble pieces. Each winning piece will be performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in a public concert at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center on October 10, 2010. The top three orchestral composers will be awarded $1000 each. The top three ensemble composers will be awarded $500 each. PLUS! Each of the six winners will receive a professional recording of their composition performed by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
Deadline: Aug 10, 2010


2010 Arbor Day Poster Contest for 5th Graders
http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/
The 2010 theme is “Trees are Terrific…and Energy Wise!” Contest materials include engaging lesson plans and hands-on activities to teach fifth grade students about the important role trees play in the production and conservation of energy! All activities correlate with National Education Standards for fifth grade.


2010 Forest Appreciation Week Statewide Writing Contest for 4th Grade Students
http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/uf/awareness/arborwriting.htm
"Why Plant Trees?" Twenty-one years ago the Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division asked fourth grade students across Wisconsin to think and write about our tree and forest resources, and to enter the annual Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest.


2010 Good Life Award Writing Contest
http://www.wclibrary.info/gla/
Writing contest for grades 7-9. A contest for students to share ideas about living a life that is fun, purposeful, and happy. Honoring the life of Dottie Yeck, a champion of children, who believed that one is never too young to have an impact on the world. Entrants must live or attend school in Montgomery County, Ohio. Your entry must be submitted online between March 1 and April 1.


2010 K’NEXpert Search
http://www.knex.com/club/knexpert_vote.php
Do you love to build?? Are you between the ages of 5 and 12? We are currently in search of ten kids who love to build to be our K’NEXperts. This is your opportunity to build a really cool model and, if your model is chosen as one of the ten best, to win a K'NEX building set prize package worth $500, plus, show off your skills online! Winners will also receive a lot of FREE K’NEX stuff throughout the year.


2010 Trash to Treasure Competition
http://pbskids.org/designsquad/contest/
Recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into an out-of-the-box invention. - Your invention should: Move things or people or Protect the environment or Be used for indoor or outdoor play. For ages 5-19. Enter online from April 5 to September 5, 2010.


A&E Contests
http://www.biography.com/classroom/
Each year the A&E Network sponsors a variety of contests. These contests offer student, teacher and school prizes so that everyone is a winner! Check this page to find out what new contests are happening?


Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar Contest
http://alaska.fws.gov/external/education/calendar.htm
The 2011 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar Contest (formerly the Goose Calendar Contest) is in progress. The winners of the state-wide poster and literature competition will be published in the 2011 Alaska Migratory Bird Calendar. Why? The purpose of the contest is to encourage local children to learn about bird conservation. Several species of migratory birds need special attention, including the emperor goose, black brant, spectacled and Steller's eiders. Who? K-12 students (public, private or home-schooled) residing in or adjacent to the North Slope Borough and the following National Wildlife Refuges: Arctic, Yukon Delta, Kanuti, Togiak, Izembek, Alaska Peninsula/Becharof, Alaska Maritime, Selawik, Innoko, Koyukuk and Nowitna may enter. If you are not sure of your eligibility, email cathy_rezabeck@fws.gov



All Kids Can...CREATE!
http://www.vsarts.org/prebuilt/showcase/gallery/exhibits/calls/AllKidsCan/
VSA arts and CVS Caremark All Kids Can invite children to submit artwork showing your creativity. Explore new activities, rethink your perceptions, discover yourself as an artist, and submit your work of art today!


American Kennel Club Fiction Writing Contest
http://www.akc.org/pubs/fictioncontest/
Entries can be on any subject, but must feature either an AKC-registrable breed or a breed listed in the Miscellaneous class. The maximum length is 2,000 words. Entries exceeding that length will not be considered. Annual contest.


American Kennel Club Photo Contest
http://www.akc.org/pubs/photocontest/
Is your dog part of an odd couple? Send us a picture for our 29th Annual Photo Contest celebrating your dog’s funniest, or perhaps most bizarre, best friend. Send Entries To: AKC magazines Photo Contest The American Kennel Club 260 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Deadline: Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2009.


Art Smart Challenge stained glass design competition
http://www.artsmartclub.com/challenge/
Your heartfelt artwork could be turned into a stained glass window. Just doodle, draw, or paint about making the world better, then send it in. Monthly winners are entered in the annual contest automatically.


C-SPAN StudentCam
http://www.studentcam.org/
An annual documentary competition that encourages students to think seriously about issues that affect our communities and our nation. C-SPAN StudentCam invites students to identify a current political topic of interest and produce a short (up to ten minute) video documentary which creatively explores an issue while integrating C-SPAN programming. Middle school students (grades 6-8) and high school students (grades 9-12) in the United States as individuals, or teams of students may create and submit entries. Teams are limited to 3 students.


Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
https://www.coca-colascholars.org/cokeWeb/
Each year the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 250 scholarships valued from $4,000 to $20,000 to high school seniors. "Coca-Cola" Scholarships are awarded based on character, personal merit and commitment. Merit is demonstrated through leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and motivation to serve and succeed.


Creative Communication Poetry Contests
http://www.poeticpower.com/
The purpose of the poetry contest is to bring recognition to poets both young and old. Winners share over $70,000 in prizes. With most contests regionally based, poets are competing against their peers in both age and location. In addition to the winning poems, other poems of high merit are accepted to be published in our hard bound anthology. Within the guidelines of accepting less than 50% of the poems that are entered in each contest, the contest is selective so that it is an honor to be accepted, yet not so exclusive that it is discouraging to enter. Unlike many other organizations who sponsor poetry contests, there is no entry fee and no required purchase in order to become published. We take pride in the fact that our staff is comprised of teachers, professors and poets.


Dupont Challenge: Science Essay
http://thechallenge.dupont.com/
The DuPont Challenge offers you the chance to write a 700-1,000 word essay on a scientific discovery, theory, event, or technological application that has captured your interest. The range of possible essay subjects is as broad as science itself. Prizes (for each grade level category): $5,000 savings bond first place, $3000 savings bond second place, $2,000 savings bond third place, Honorable Mention $200 savings bond. Each 1st - 3rd place entrant also receives an expenses paid trip to Kennedy Space Center and Walt Disney World® Resort with a parent. Grades 7-12. All essays are due by midnight on January 31, 2010.


ExploraVision
http://exploravision.org/
ExploraVision is a science competition that encourages K-12 students of all interest, skill and ability levels to create and explore a vision of future technology by combining their imaginations with the tools of science. All inventions and innovations result from creative thinking and problem solving.


Girls Going Places®
http://www.guardianlife.com/womens_channel/girls_going_places/girls_going_places.htmlGuardian Life Insurance Company of America’s annual initiative designed to reward the enterprising spirits of girls ages 12 to 18. Guardian awards prizes to 15 girls who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship; are taking the first steps toward financial independence; and make a difference in their schools and communities. Prizes totaling $30,000 are awarded to three top winners and 12 finalists each year, to further their entrepreneurial pursuits. Entries deadline in February.


Global SchoolNet: Doors to Diplomacy Projects
http://www.globalschoolnet.org/gsndoors/index.cfm
The U. S. Department of State sponsors the "Doors to Diplomacy" educational challenge - to encourage middle school and high school students around the world to produce web projects that teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy. Each student team member of the winning "Doors to Diplomacy" Award team receives a $2,000 scholarship, and the winning coaches' schools each receive a $500 cash award. Additional prizes may be provided by sponsors.


I Love Costa Rica’s Rainforest! Contest for Kids
http://smartpoodlepublishing.com/blog/1-i-love-costa-ricas-rainforest-contest-for-kids/
Children from 5K through 5th Grade are invited to submit original stories and artwork to our I Love Costa Rica’s Rain Forest! Contest Prizes donated by Rand McNally’s online store at www.RandMcNally.com.


International Poster Contest
http://www.naturesvoice-ourchoice.org/
'Students Give Water a Voice' is a three phase program that focuses on giving students an opportunity to combine art, scientific exploration, problem solving, and community service into one project that addresses community water resources. This program is aimed at showing students the multi sector approach needed to solve community water resource problems and empowering them to find solutions.


Invention Dimension Challenge
http://www.bkfk.com/
BKFK is looking for innovative ideas for new toys, games and sporting goods. Working with Toys“R”Us and leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, the Invention Dimension runs through January 29, 2010.


Kids Philosophy Slam
http://www.philosophyslam.org/
The Kids Philosophy Slam is a philosophy contest designed to make philosophy accessible and fun for kids of all ages and abilities, to promote a philosophical dialog between kids and adults, and to promote a greater awareness of philosophy and education in everyday life.


Let's Get Real
http://www.lgreal.org/index.shtml
Let's Get Real™ is a competition that gives young students the opportunity to solve real-life issues faced by the sponsoring corporations and provides the corporate sponsors the opportunity to meet talented students. All 6th through 12th grade students from any school are eligible. Students do not have to be affiliated with a school setting to participate...in other words home schooling, Scouts, neighborhood friends, etc. can form teams with an adult coordinator.



Letters About Literature
http://www.lettersaboutliterature.org/
A national reading-writing contest. To enter, readers write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre-- fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic, explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves. There are three competition levels: Level I for children in grades 4 through 6; Level II for grades 7 and 8, and Level III, grades 9 - 12.


Mandelbrot Math Competition
http://www.mandelbrot.org/
Students compete as individuals or in teams. The goal of Greater Testing Concepts is to provide a challenging, engaging mathematical experience which is both competitive and educational. We now offer two contests within four geographic regions, encompassing students from across the United States and several foreign countries.


Math Contests - Homeschool Division
http://www.noetic-learning.com/mathcontest/homeschool.jsp
Noetic Learning just opened its math contest to homeschoolers. The contest is open to all homeschooling students from grades 2 through 5. Students may take the contest online or using paper and pencils. The top 10 students in each grade level will be recognized on our web site and will be issued Achievement certificates. Bi-Annual Contest.


National Geographic - Annual International Photography Contest for Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/contests/photos
Contest is open only to legal residents of the United States (excluding residents of Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are between the ages of 6 and 14 in November. The United States and Canadian International Photo Contest For Kids begins August 3, 2009, and ends November 2, 2009 (the “Entry Period”). All Entries must be postmarked by November 2, 2009, and received by November 9, 2009.


National Young Astronomer Award
http://www.astroleague.org/al/awards/nyaa/noya.html
N.Y.A.A. is designed to recognize the outstanding achievements by high school aged astronomers throughout the United States. To apply, eligible persons should submit application packages by the deadline.


Neuroscience for Kids 2010 writing contest
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/contest10.html
Write a poem about the nervous system in the style for your age group. If you are in Kindergarten to Grade 2, your poem can be in any style; it doesn't even have to rhyme.If you are in Grade 3 to Grade 5, your poem must rhyme. If you are in Grade 6 to Grade 8, your poem must be in the form of a haiku. Entries must be received by February 1, 2010.


Save My Planet Challenge
http://bkfk.com/Modules/Competition/Competition.aspx?section=sayit
Your ideas have the power to make the world a better place! Enter your original eco-friendly ideas to the Save My Planet Challenge and get this planet rewired! The best idea will receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. Deadline: May 25, 2010, 3:00 pm(et)


The 2010 International Young Eco-Hero Awards
http://www.actionfornature.org/
The International Young Eco-Hero Award is designed to recognize and reward the work of young people between the ages of 8 and 16 who have done unique, creative environmental work. Action For Nature will award cash prizes of up to $500 to young Eco-Heroes from around the world for their outstanding accomplishments in environmental advocacy, environmental health, research or protection of the natural world. Their individual initiatives will inspire others to preserve and protect our fragile environment.



The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program
http://alaska.fws.gov/jrduck/about.htm
A Junior Duck Stamp design is a "term paper" which takes the form of a stamp design. In their designs students use visual rather than verbal articulation to show what they have learned. Participants select a species of North American waterfowl, do research on this species and its habitat, then depict the waterfowl in an artistic medium. The Junior Duck Stamp Program has many benefits. It introduces school age children to an important and fragile part of the natural world. It instills a sense of individual responsibility toward the environment. And it benefits waterfowl and their habitats as well as all migratory birds and hundreds of plants and animals that share wetland habitats.