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.

2015-2016 Topics
Water Use (Poster)
Sludge (Writing and Video)

Poster Contest: focus on the use of tap water for something other than drinking.

Writing and Video Contests: focus on Bay State Fertilizer.

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)

The MWRA supplies wholesale water to local water departments in 51 communities. This water comes from Quabbin Reservoir, about 65 miles west of Boston, and Wachusett Reservoir, about 35 miles west of Boston. On average, a family of four uses 90,000 gallons of water each year; each person uses about 65 gallons of water each day. We use our drinking water for a whole lot more than drinking.

Grades K-2: Create a poster showing how you use tap water, other than drinking, around the house.

Grades 3-5: Create a poster showing your tap water being used for doing chores (either at home, in the yard, or at school).

Grades 6-8: Create a poster showing your tap water being used for health purposes.

Visit our Poster Contest Page for more information.

Writing Contest (grades 3-8)

When it began operating in 1991, MWRA’s sludge-to-fertilizer plant made history by ending sludge discharges into Boston Harbor. The sludge-to-fertilizer plant recycles organic solids (sludge) left over from the wastewater treatment process into fertilizer. Bay State Fertilizer is suitable for landscaping, gardening and large-scale agriculture.

Grades 3-5: Tell us what you think the greatest benefit was when sludge dumping into Boston Harbor stopped on December 31, 1991.

Grades 6-8: Many communities within the MWRA sewerage district use Bay State Fertilizer on their parks, athletic fields, and municipal landscaping. How would you help us spread the word to your community leaders that Bay State Fertilizer is available to them and they should take advantage of this valuable resource?

Visit our Writing Contest Page for more information.

Video Contest (grades 9-12)

Bay State Fertilizer is purchased wholesale by golf courses and landscapers throughout New England and has been available locally through garden centers and nurseries since 1995. Create a video to help us spread the word about Bay State Fertilzer by devising a marketing campaign for this recycled product.

Visit our Video Contest Page for more information.

Deadline

Entries must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 9, 2016. 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 27, 2016.

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 2014-2015.

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 2014-2015.

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

Deadline: Wednesday, March 9, 2016

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.