Art, Writing, Video Contests Open to Students

A variety of student art and writing contests are now open for submissions. Read on for details:

• Earthday.org’s Your Art, Our Earth poster competition for Earth Day 2024 is open to students from 5-17 years old, and 18 and older until Monday, Jan. 22. The 2024 theme is Planet vs. Plastics, which aims to spotlight the detrimental effects of plastics in our oceans and on land.
• The MCPS Division of Sustainability and Compliance (DSC) is sponsoring an art contest to find designs to use as wraps for new electric-powered cargo vans. These electric vehicles will help reduce MCPS’ overall greenhouse gas emissions and support the Board of Education’s commitment to cut GHG emissions by 80% by 2027. All MCPS staff and students from MCPS middle and high schools are invited to participate. The deadline is Friday, Feb. 2. Click to learn more.
• The 2024 Gaithersburg Book Festival’s annual poetry contest is open for submissions. This year’s theme is “Envision a Better Future.” To participate, students must be in high school. The deadline is midnight on Thursday, Feb. 22. First, second, third place and fan favorite winners will receive $250, $100, $50 and $25, respectively. Winners will be announced at the festival on Saturday, May 18. 2024 GBF Poetry Contest Flyer
• The Keeping it SAFE Coalition: Under Twenty-One Alcohol Prevention Coalition is sponsoring its annual video contest to create a 30-second public service message addressing the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. This year’s topics are:
• Standing Your Ground: Fighting Peer Pressure from Friends to Drink
• Ways to Help/Support Friends Who Are Abusing Alcohol
• How Alcoholic Drinks Affect Mental Health

The contest is open to teams of two or more students enrolled in Montgomery County middle and high schools. Cash prizes of $100 to $1,000 are up for grabs to the winning schools or organizations. Participating MCPS students are also eligible for five Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Entries are due by 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 31. Visit the website for more information and official contest rules.

• The Division of Sustainability and Compliance is also sponsoring its annual poster contest, open to all MCPS students and staff. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your artistic talents and help raise awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability, energy conservation, waste reduction and responsible recycling. Entries are due on Friday, April 5. Check out the contest flyer, guidelines and entry form.
• The National School Bus Safety Week poster contest is sponsored by the National Association for Pupil Transportation. This year’s theme is Driving Safely Into the Future. Posters must be submitted to state directors by Wednesday, April 17. The contest is open to students in K–8th grade, special education students in K–12th grades and those who use computer-aided drawing. Details and guidelines are available here.