Contests

Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest – This annual contest invites Illinois 5th and 6th grade students to submit posters or written works related to each year's environmentally-focused theme. Educators are encouraged to implement a curriculum unit or resources provided that are related to the theme to acquaint students with the environmental issue or topic. The contest allows for creativity while educating students on important subjects. The Illinois EPA announces the contest theme in the fall with submissions due in February each year.

High School Poster, Poetry, and Essay Contest – This new contest invites Illinois high school students in grades 9th through 12th to learn about an environmental issue related to the theme focus and then illustrate what they have learned as a creative piece (poster or poem) or as an essay. It calls on students to learn about environmental issues on a more personal and deeper level of understanding, and helps develop critical thinking skills to encourage students to think about solutions individually and collectively as a community. The contest theme is announced in the fall with submissions due by February.