MWRA Writing Contest for 2014-2015

Grade 3-8 students in the MWRA service area are invited to participate in our Writing Contest for 2014-2015.

Download a complete contest entry packet (PDF) for all rules, FAQs, forms, labels and other important details.

2014-2015 Topic
It's All About STEM

Write an essay or poem about a day in the life of a water or wastewater worker who uses the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math in his or her job.

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.”

Eligibility

The writing contest is open to all grade 3-8 students in the MWRA service area. Only schools in the service area are eligible to enter.

Contest Topic

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.

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).

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. In the writing contest the (2) categories are 3-5 and 6-8. In each of the categories there is a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and (3) honorable mention winners.

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

Entries may be typed or neatly handwritten in ink. They should be no longer than 2 pages.

All entries must be mailed to:

MWRA School Contest
2 Griffin Way
Chelsea, MA 02150

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 that is developed cleverly. For inspiration and examples, check out our writing contest winners for 2013-2014.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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.