Entry Form

Contest Theme
The 2014 National Poster Contest theme is “Dig Deeper – Mysteries in the Soil” or simply “Dig Deeper.”  One of these titles must be on the poster for it to be eligible for judging.

Soil is an amazing substance!  It is made of minerals, air, water, and organic matter and is host to a vast community of living organisms including bacteria, fungi, nematodes, earthworms, insects, spiders, and other arthropods.  The complex soil ecosystem is essential to life.  We invite you to dig deeper into the subject of soils to discover what mysteries may lurk beneath the soil’s surface.  Then, share your knowledge with the world in the form of a poster.  

Eligibility
The National Conservation Poster Contest is open to public, private, and home-schooled students in grades K through 12.  Richland County students should submit their posters to the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District for local judging by May 15, 2014; students in other counties in SC should contact their local conservation district for entry deadlines and details.  

Rules

• Any media may be used to create a flat or two-dimensional effect (e.g., paint, crayon, colored pencil, stickers, collage, or other materials on regular posters).  There is no computer-only special category.
• Posters must be no smaller than 8.5”x11” or larger than 22”x28”.
• Posters should be packaged so they remain flat when sent for judging.
• All posters must be created by an individual student rather than a team of students.
• The 2014 Stewardship Title “Dig Deeper – Mysteries in the Soil” or simply “Dig Deeper” must be on the poster.  These are the only titles eligible for judging.
• Each entry must include a signed entry form (click to download).
• Although younger students may receive help in planning from parents or teachers, we encourage students to complete as much of the work as possible by themselves.  Entries completed by students in their handwriting and coloring will score better than those designed, drawn, and colored with adult assistance.  

Evaluation
Posters will be evaluated by grade level (K-1; 2-3; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12) according to the following criteria:

• Conservation message (50%)
• Visual effectiveness (30%)
• Originality (10%)
• Universal appeal (10%)

Submission
Posters completed by Richland County students should be delivered to the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District by May 15, 2014.  Posters may be dropped off in person or mailed.  Posters should be packaged to remain flat when sent for judging.  
    

Competition Progression and Awards

Richland District winners will progress to the state competition; state winners will progress to the national competition.  Cash prizes will be awarded at each level.  

District Competition – Sponsored by the Richland Soil and Water Conservation District

• Prizes:  $25 prizes will be awarded to winning posters in each grade-level category

State Competition – Sponsored by the SC Association of Conservation Districts

• Prizes:  $25 prizes will be awarded to winning posters in each grade-level category

National Competition – Sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts

• Prizes:  First place posters in each grade-level category will receive $100; second place posters in each grade-level category will receive $75.

Resources
A complete list of resources, including age-appropriate websites and books, is available online at http://www.nacdnet.org/education/contests/poster/.