2022

The Illinois Environmental Protecton Agency recognized the creativity and hard work of fifth and sixth grade students selected for their artistic and writing skills used to express environmental awareness, as part of the Agency's 35th Annual Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest. The winners were selected from works submitted by students throughout Illinois.

Each year, fifth and sixth grade students in Illinois take part in the Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest as part of the Agency's Environmental Education initiative. Through the program, participating schools study environmental concepts with an emphasis on the current year's environmental theme. Many teachers round out the classroom program by having the students create posters or poetry/prose works to illustrate what they have learned and submit these to the Agency. This year's theme, Get Energized About Slowing Down Climate Change! focused on understanding energy use, the power grid, clean energy alternatives, and how we can change our energy habits to help slow the effects of climate change. 

Educators were asked to incorporate Illinois EPA's newly created Environmental Pathways: How Does a Bulb Light? unit into their classroom curricula that is available free online at: https://pathways.mste.illinois.edu/. Students investigate an everyday phenomenon: an electric light turning on. They learned about different energy sources and their impact on the environment and natural resources along with how to use energy more efficiently. This curriculum unit is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. 

Poster Top Award Winners:

Student awards were mailed to the schools, where the top 12 and honorable mention winners received environmental reference books for their school libraries. All winners, including the finalists, received certificates and ribbons for their creative efforts.

Information about the annual event can be obtained by contacting Kristi Morris, Environmental Education Coordinator for the Illinois EPA at Kristi.Morris@Illinois.gov.