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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 2027 competition is Water Pollution? We Have a Solution! inviting students to think about water pollution, where it comes from, and how to prevent it, especially in our drinking water sources. The 2027 contest theme highlights water quality issues, how and what pollution can end up in drinking water, and how everyone can contribute to protecting water resources. Watersheds are an integral part of any ecosystem as is the waterbody itself. Reducing nonpoint source pollution and using appropriate filters for your drinking water are easy ways to ensure safe drinking water.
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.
Please submit completed materials and student entries to the following email address: EPA.contest@illinois.gov
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 - Check this rubric/evaluation form to understand the criteria utilized to judge submissions.
Contest timetable:
Throughout January 2027
Educators discuss the importance of drinking water, causes and sources of pollution, and ways this resource can be conserved and protected.
January 11-12, 2027
Students create posters or written works relating to the theme:
Water Pollution? We Have a Solution!
January 25-29, 2027
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 1, 2027
Teachers submit up to eight entries per school to the Illinois EPA for judging. Entries must be submitted electronically no later than February 1, 2027.
Throughout February 2027
Judging
April 10, 2027
Awards Ceremony held in Springfield – tentatively April 10
Informational resources can be found on the following web sites:
- Illinois EPA curriculum units:
o Why is the Pond Green? https://pathways.mste.illinois.edu/curriculum/surface-water
o How Does My Environment Affect Me? https://pathways.mste.illinois.edu/curriculum/environmental-justice
o What is nonpoint source pollution? https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/water-quality/watershed-management/nonpoint-sources/what-is-nonpoint-source-pollution.html
- US EPA
o Drinking Water Activities for Students and Teachers: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-activities-students-and-teachers
o Lesson Plans, Teachers Guides, and Online Resources for Water: https://www.epa.gov/students/lesson-plans-teacher-guides-and-online-environmental-resources-educators-water
o How’s My Waterway?: https://mywaterway.epa.gov/
- Illinois Extension Water Video Series: https://extension.illinois.edu/videos/water
- Project WET (Water Education Today): https://www.projectwet.org/
- Illinois-Indiana Sea Grants Loanable Activity Kits (including water quality and an Enviroscape model): https://iiseagrant.org/education/loanable-kits/
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago’s Education Resources: https://mwrd.org/education/k-12-learning
- Illinois American Water’s Education Center: https://www.amwater.com/ilaw/Water-Wastewater-Information/Water-Learning-Center/water-education-center
Other Environmental Education Resources