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POSTER AND WRITING CONTEST 2005-2006:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
FOR STUDENTS
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Q. What are this year’s poster contest topics?
A. Grades K-2: Create a poster depicting summer fun on the beaches of Boston Harbor.
Grades 3-5: Create a poster depicting marine life returning to Boston Harbor.
Grades 6-8: Create a poster depicting your ideas for fun uses of the Boston Harbor Islands.
Q. What are this year’s writing contest topics?
A.Grades 3-5: Write about where your drinking water comes from. Trace MWRA’s drinking water journey from the source to the tap.
Grades 6-8: Write about where your drinking water comes from. Trace MWRA’s drinking water journey from the source to the tap. Include how and why it is treated.
Grades 9-12: Write about where your drinking water comes from. Trace MWRA’s drinking water journey from source to tap. In addition, describe what happens to wastewater once it goes down the drain. How is it transported and treated in the MWRA system?
A. In the poster contest there are three categories: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. In the writing contest the three categories are: grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. In each catetory there are 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, and three honorable mention winners.
A. First prize in each category is a $200.00 savings bond, 2nd prize is a $100.00 savings bond, and 3rd prize is a $50.00 savings bond. All winners, including honorable mention winners, are invited with their families to an Awards Ceremony at Deer Island on Friday, May 26, 2006.
Every student who enters the contest will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Q. May I enter both the poster and writing contests?
A. You may if you are in grades 3-8.
Q. What information needs to be included with my poster and/or writing entry?
A. All poster and contest writing entries must have a completed Student Label attached to the back of the entry. The labels should be taped or glued securely to the back of the entry. Sometimes labels that are paper clipped or stapled fall off. If there is no Student Label on the entry, you cannot win!
Q. Where can I get a Student Label?
A. Ask your teacher for one or download it from one of these links:
>labels for entries (.doc)
>labels for entries (.pdf)
Q. What size should the poster be?
A. The poster must be no smaller than 8.5” X 11” and no larger than 18” X 24”.
Q. How long should my writing entry be? Does it have to be done on a computer?
A. Writing entries may be neatly written in ink and can be no longer than 2 pages in category 3-5 and 6-8. In the high school category, entries may be up to three pages. Please use only one side of the paper.
Q. Where can I get background information to help me with my contest entry?
A. The best place to start is here at the MWRA’s website. Check out other websites or visit your local or school library. Ask your parents or teachers.
Tips from Poster Contest Judges
- Be sure your poster is on topic.
- Don’t try to put too many ideas on one poster. Pick one idea and make a poster that states it clearly.
- All lettering should be easy to read and your message should come through at a glance. A good poster should capture the viewer’s attention. It may have plenty of careful detail, but unless it captures the eye in the first place, no one will spend time looking at it.
Tips from Writing Contest Judges
- Be accurate. Some very persuasive pieces are marred by serious factual errors.
- Focus on the question asked and express it well. Writers often try to include too many ideas and the message becomes thin or confusing.
- Be creative! Don’t just repeat facts that you have learned.
| Meg Tabacsko – (617) 788-1139 Meg.Tabacsko@mwra.state.ma.us |
Jackie Floyd – (617) 788-1131 |