MWRA Poster, Writing and Video Contests for 2014-2015 Main Page

It's MWRA contest time! Once again the MWRA is sponsoring Poster, Writing, and Video Contests for students who live in or attend school in a community served by the MWRA.

2014-2015 Topic
It's All About STEM

People living, working or visiting one of the 61 communities in the MWRA service area are able to quench their thirsts, bathe, flush toilets, do the dishes and water their lawns without much thought. MWRA treats and delivers drinking water from the Quabbin Reservoir and transports wastewater to
Deer Island to be treated. But who are the people who keep these important systems running? They are men and women who studied the same things you are studying: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or “STEM.”

We hope the students will have fun with this topic and learn some important facts in the process. Good luck to all participants!

Poster Contest (grades K-8)

Create a poster showing a person or people doing their jobs in the water or wastewater field as it is related to Science, Technology, Engineering or Math. Visit our Poster Contest Page for more information.

Writing Contest (grades 3-8)

Write an essay or poem about a day in the life of a water or wastewater worker sho uses the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math in his or her job. Visit our Writing Contest Page for more information.

Video Contest (grades 9-12)

Create a video (3 minutes or less) to recruit water and wastewater job applicants focusing on their knowledge of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields. Visit our Video Contest Page for more information.

Deadline

Entries must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Early entries are encouraged.

Rules

Rules are included in the contest entry packet (PDF).

Required Forms and Labels

Every group of student entries must have a Contest Registration Form and each entry must have a Student Label attached securely to the back of the entry. Forms and labels are included in the contest entry packet (PDF).

Students may enter on their own if they live in or attend a school in the MWRA service area. You must include the student label on the back of your entry. Labels are included in the contest entry packet (PDF).

Video contest entrants must submit a signed release form (PDF) along with their videos. The form is included in the contest entry packet (PDF).

Prizes

First prize in each category is a $100.00 gift check, 2nd prize is a $50.00 check, and 3rd prize is a $25.00 check.

All winners, including honorable mention winners, are invited with their families to an Awards Ceremony at Deer Island on Friday, May 22, 2015.

How to Submit Contest Entries

All entries must be mailed to:

MWRA School Contest
2 Griffin Way
Chelsea, MA 02150

What Makes a Good Poster Entry

Make sure your poster is on topic. Don't try to include too many ideas or activities
on your poster. A single message, clearly illustrated, is more effective. If you use
lettering, make sure it can be read from across a room. For inspiration and examples, check out our poster contest winners for 2013-2014.

What Makes a Good Writing Entry

First, be sure your entry addresses the question. As good as a piece might be, if it isn't on topic, it can't win a prize. Then, use your creativity to make your entry stand out. The reader should remember your work because there was something unique about it. An essay can be just as creative as a poem or dialogue, if it has a clear theme and develops it cleverly. For ideas, take a look at our writing contest winners for 2013-2014.

What Makes a Good Video Entry

A successful video will be on topic, informative, accurate and entertaining. Last year's video contest winners are posted on our YouTube page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers for teachers and students are included in the contest entry packet (PDF).

How to Submit Contest Entries
All entries must be mailed to:

MWRA School Contest
2 Griffin Way
Chelsea, MA 02150

What if I still have some questions?

If you still have questions, please contact Meg Tabacsko, MWRA School Program Manager, at meg.tabacsko@mwra.com. If you do not have access to email, please call Meg at 617-305-5646.