Have you entered the essay contest? A couple months still to get your entries in. Take advantage of being stuck indoors by having your kids do some writing with a purpose. All the details below and at Midwest Creation Fellowship’s site.

Here’s some info to get you started (but, fyi, I think their ages are switched on their categories):

Purpose:
To encourage the development of skills in research, analysis and logical reasoning through preparing an effective presentation of a thesis in a creation-oriented paper.

Prizes: Senior High Level (Ages 11-14*)

• $250 First Place
• $100 Second Place
• $75 Third Place

Junior High Level (Ages 14-18*)

• $100 First Place
• $50 Second Place
• $25 Third Place

* Entrants 14 years old on April 30 may enter either Junior or Senior division

Topics: must strongly relate to the subject of creation vs. evolution, from a creationist perspective. Suggestions:

• Why do cultures around the world…
  …have the same star constellations?
  …have very similar legends, such as a gigantic flood?
  …offer blood sacrifices to their god(s)?
• Reasons why I believe in creation
• Vestigial organs: a vestigial argument
• More topic suggestions

There is no fee to enter and they publish a book (which they then sell) of winning entries. This can be a fun motivator if just working toward a grade or even just to get an assignment finished is getting a little old.

From the coordinators:

We have three contests . . .  Each year we have several homeschoolers accepted in our
contests and we admire their impressive work.  The following is
information on each contest, if you have any questions please feel
free to contact me!

Here are the websites for more information:
Art Contest
www.celebratingart.com

Poetry Contest
poeticpower.com

Essay Contest
poeticpower.com

An opportunity to flex your mental muscles in the geography arena!

To find out more or to sign up, e-mail Audrey Ringer at dnaringer@yahoo.com.

My kids participated in the local geo bee a few years ago and it provided great incentive to learn their geography facts and really dig into the world around them. Great opportunity!

Don’t know where I’ve been, but when I was given an opportunity to review a brand new CD from Robert Pierre, I thought, “Who?”

No, he’s not homeschooled, but I am always looking for great music to listen to while I read my great books, so . . .

Then I started looking at his bio. Oh, he’s only 18. That’s why I haven’t heard of him. Just some brand new, trying-to-make-it kid, right? Heh. Well, I looked a little further.

His first album was released almost 5 years ago. No newcomer here. He leads worship at the church his parents helped start in Florida. He knows how to lead a crowd, knows how to perform, but most importantly he knows how to worship on a grand scale.

When most young people are just trying focusing on narrowing down college choices he is penning lyrics that show the depth of his faith, that he’s all in.

While I think the songs will appeal to young people, I personally enjoyed just about every single one of them. I would love to hear these added to our Sunday morning line up.

These are great songs to have in the background as you surf the net, in the car while you are running errands, or crank them up when you or your kids need a dance break (what? you don’t take those now and then?) All of my kids enjoyed these tunes. So, I guess they are suitable from 1 year old on up.

Take a little look for yourself (9 minute video about the album and Robert Pierre himself):

The CD is just now coming out. July 26th. You can pick it up online or at your local Christian book store.

Check out more at these links:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Are your Kids off school on Friday April 22?  Come to SciTech for the Easter Egg Hunt, stay for the FUN!
The Golden Eggs are Hidden!  Find one and Win a PRIZE!

SciTech Museum is the place for Fun on the Friday before Easter.
Regular admission is all you need to enjoy:

• Activity Tables with “Egg-Tastic” Hands on Experiments! 10:30- 4pm
• See the Easter Bunny and have your photo taken with him. ($5.00 ea.) 12-4 pm
• Participate in the Easter Egg Hunt and Find the Golden Egg for a Prize! 10:30 am – 12 pm
• Two age groups for the Hunt: 5 and under and 6-12 yrs.
• Over 200 exciting interactive Science exhibits!

For more information just call 630-859-3434 Ext. 218
SciTech Museum 18 W. Benton, Aurora, Il. 60506

Don't Miss out! There's no end to the fun this Friday at SciTech!
And someone in your family may find the Golden Egg!

Global Encounters Essay Contest

With exciting destinations this year like Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Romania, and South Africa, there has never been a better time to go on a mission trip with Global Encounters!

Grand Prize: $1,200 Second prize: $500 Third prize: $300

Five honorable mentions: a Global Encounters hoodie and a $75 certificate!

Here’s how to enter:

Write an original essay in 500-750 words that answers the question “What is missions and how can you be involved?” Send your essay to contest@globalencounter.net by March 31st. Be sure to include your name, age, address, and phone number.

Winners will be announced April 12th.

Read the complete details here and join the fun!

The link to the full contest information is here. Developed by West Point and sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers, this contest is open to all kids age 13 through Grade 12. They can do this on their own or in pairs and it looks like it can all be done from the comfort of your own computer. It has a download for both Macs and Windows, so hopefully all interested students can enter.

Looks like a great science and math supplement or motivator. Scholarship money is available to the winners, too, if that motivates any students.

Download and install the West Point Bridge Designer 2011 software. Use the software to design and test a virtual bridge. Register your team. Log in and submit as many designs as you like. It’s absolutely FREE!

Krist Winings :

I shared with a group of friends via email.

Congrats! I’ll be contacting you shortly so you can get Little Star in your hands soon!

Little Star by Anthony DeStefano draws the child’s attention to the real meaning of Christmas can be an effective springboard to meaningful conversation. My little guy loved it and I’m sure it will be a favorite in your house as well.

This book is for sale at your local book store and online, and one person will win a free copy from this post as well.

How to enter:

- Leave a comment on this post.

- You can also receive a second entry by sharing about this book and contest with others either via email, facebook, twitter, or your favorite social media. To receive the second entry, just come back and leave a second comment letting me know where you shared it.

The contest will close on December 10th in the evening. I will post the winner at that time.