Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are invited to get creative and learn about the natural environment in North Carolina through the “Wetlands are Wonderful” conservation poster contest. This annual statewide educational competition has seen many Wake County students win big at the regional and state levels! The contest is sponsored by the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District and Novonesis, a global biotechnology company based in North Carolina.
Requirements
Create an informative and colorful poster that answers these questions:
- What are the unique characteristics of wetlands and what types of wetlands does North Carolina have?
- What are some special plants and animals live in wetlands and how are they interconnected?
- What do wetlands do that helps keep people, plants and animals healthy?
- What are the main threats to wetlands and what are some solutions to protect them?
- Posters must be the original work of individual students (no group posters, please).
- Poster size: no smaller than 22" x 28" and no larger than 24" x 36"
- Each poster must have a filled-out identification card on the back (see page 8 of the contest handbook pdf)
- Most importantly, have fun artistically displaying your conservation knowledge and earn prize money for winning!
Judging
Posters are judged based on 50% scientific content and 50% artistic originality by experts who appreciate children’s artwork. All judges will use a rubric that is used at the regional and state level contests.
Wake District staff will select the best 10 posters in each grade level to be judged by a panel of judges with a variety of backgrounds including wetland conservation, visual arts and design. This panel of judges will select the top 5 posters in each grade level for the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors to make the final selection of the 1st and 2nd place posters in each grade level.
Awards and Prizes
Teachers may submit ONE poster for each grade level that they teach in grades 3-5. Each entry will receive a ribbon. The top 10 posters in each grade level will receive a framed certificate. 1st and 2nd place winners receive cash prizes; $50 for 1st place and $25 for second place!
The 1st place winners in each grade level will be recognized in the Conservation Awards Celebration video which will be released in December.
The first-place 3rd, 4th and 5th-grade posters advance to the regional competition, which may lead to the state competition. Winning first place at all three levels would earn a student $350 in cash prizes!
Contest Handbook
For detailed information about the steps, rules, research sources, rubric, helpful tips, and more, please explore the contest handbook below. This is your one-stop-shop for information about this year's poster contest!
Poster Contest Handbook 2024-2025
As a supplement to the online study resources, please see this printable study resources document:
How to Register and Deadlines
- To register, teachers of grades 3–5 can fill out the registration form by Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.
- Posters must be selected by teachers (one poster per grade level per teacher) and be ready for pickup in the school's front office by Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. To arrange the pickup, please email Leah Purvis at leah.purvis@wake.gov.
For more information, please email Environmental Educator Leah A Purvis at leah.purvis@wake.gov or call 919-250-1065.