Challenging Maine High School Students to Explore the Natural World.
We’re inviting high school students to share their story and perspectives on the natural world with specific connections to Maine through any combination of writing, photography, video, performance, audio, or any other form of media that gets one’s ideas across on one of the following themes:
· How is our understanding of nature changing the way we live?
· What lessons and observations from nature have influenced your own personal outlook?
· What is one lesson we can learn from nature for a resilient future?
Entries should share a specific example of how one of these themes are connected to/visible here in Maine – whether your own backyard, Maine’s remote wilderness, a neighborhood park, or beyond. Entries should tell a story of how nature influences our lives and communities, today, yesterday, and into the future.
WHAT TO ENTER
Any original piece of work – writing, fine and/or media arts, sculpture, audio, video, print, photography, etc., or a combination of media – that responds to one of the three challenge themes. Electronic submission (pictures or videos) of non-digital entries (art pieces, skits, etc) are welcome. Each entry must have the student’s name, email address, phone number, class they are in, school name and school principal’s contact information.
WHO WILL JUDGE
All entries will be judged by a panel including staff from the Nature Conservancy in Maine, the Maine Education Association, and the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, in addition to Maine Public News and Video staff.
JUDGING GUIDELINES
Submissions will be based on the following criteria: originality, creativity, persuasiveness, scientific accuracy, and the connection to the overall topic. Submissions must tell a story and share a clear vision/perspective.
AWARDS
We will select five (5) winners as follows: one (1) winner from each high school grade level (9th through 12th) according to the 2020 academic year. A “Peoples’ Choice” award of $500 will be awarded regardless of the high school grade level and will be determined by online voting at mainepublic.org.
Winning submissions will be recognized with a $500 award.
HOW TO ENTER
Entries, including digital images/video of your non-digital entries (sculpture, paintings, skits) should be uploaded to the Maine Public Dropbox available HERE.
Follow these uploading instructions:
- CLICK on the link above.
- CLICK on “Upload files” from the menu list on the right.
- CHOOSE the file that you are going to submit from your computer.
- CLICK on that file.
- WAIT until your file is fully uploaded.
THAT’S IT!
SUBMISSION TIMING
Submissions will be accepted between Monday, August 17, 2020 and Wednesday, September 30, 2020.
NOTIFICATION
Winners will be notified by email by Friday, October 9, 2020.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD VOTING
The People’s Choice voting will take place between Wednesday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 7.
