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Statewide Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest


Dear Fifth/Sixth Grade Educators:

We invite your students to participate in Illinois EPA’s annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest. The theme of the 2026 competition is Together for Healthier Air! inviting students to think about creative ways that everyone can help keep air healthy individually and community wide. This could include using less electricity; considering alternatives to fossil fuels; limiting the burning of wood; and reducing reliance on gas-powered vehicles and lawn equipment. Class discussions and video submissions can also highlight positive environmental behaviors, such as increasing the number and health of neighborhood trees; choosing sustainably-produced and natural products; walking and bike riding; and taking public transportation or car pooling.

Each participating student whose work meets the eligibility guidelines and requirements will receive a certificate. Finalists will receive a certificate, a ribbon, and an invitation to the awards ceremony in Springfield (subject to change). The top twelve entries will be displayed on the Illinois EPA website providing recognition for the winning entries as well as promoting the program.

Participating in this contest will give your students an opportunity to express and share what they have learned on a deeper and more personal level using their creative and artistic abilities. The online student exhibition also draws broader attention to the different ways we can all contribute to reducing our environmental impacts.

Additional details about the competition are available for download below. The “Participation Packet” includes the competition rules and required forms that need to be included with each entry. Please see below for more information.

Interested in the Video Contest? Click here for more information. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Morris (kristi.morris@illinois.gov) or Eli Dollarhide (eli.dollarhide@illinois.gov). We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Contest Materials:

Participation Packet – Including guidelines, entry and release forms. Please note a signature is required on the release form and all fields must be completed.

Contest Rubric

Exhibit timetable is as follows:

January 2026

Educators introduce potential sources of air pollution and ways they can be reduced to help make a difference for healthier air, both individually and as a community.

January 12-23
Students create posters or written works relating to the theme focus: Together for Healthier Air!

January 26-30
Teachers display posters and poems/prose at their schools. If needed, students and/or faculty vote to select eight entries total per school to submit to the Illinois EPA for further judging.

February 2
Teachers submit up to eight entries per school to the Illinois EPA for judging.  Entries must be submitted electronically no later than February 2, 2026.

February 2026
Judging

April 11, 2026
Awards Ceremony held in Springfield – tentatively April 11

Informational resources can be found on the following web sites:

Other Environmental Education Resources

Environmental Pathways