Tag: contests

Bridge building contest

Learned about this fun looking contest over at Kathy Wentz’s blog.

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. 🙂

HOW TO ENTER
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!
Who: U.S. students age 13 through grade 12 are eligible for prizes. Anyone else may enter our Open Competition. More about eligibility…
When: The 2011 contest began on January 10, 2011, and the Qualifying Round will end on February 25. More about the contest schedule…
Prizes: Each member of the first-place team earns a $10,000 scholarship. Each finalist wins a notebook computer. More about prizes…

Video contest

HSLDA holds numerous contests especially for homeschoolers. This one involves making your own video: (follow links for more details and to submit your own!)

HSLDA Video Contest

2010 Commercial Video Guidelines

Submission Dates: August 16, 2010 to November 15, 2010

Entries received before August 16 or postmarked after November 15 will not be accepted.

What

  1. Each entrant will submit a video commercial that illustrates the value of HSLDA membership to a family. Videos will be a minimum of 60 seconds and may not exceed 90 seconds.
  2. Up to two entries per person or team will be allowed.

Who

This contest is open to anyone.

Crew Guidelines

  1. Your project is to be completed by a team which may include, but is not limited to, a director, producer, writer, camera crew, actors, technical crew (lighting, etc.), and post-production crew. While there may be more than one person involved in the project, we ask that the individual taking the role of director fit into the specifications above. The director will send us the finished product, will take responsibility for the project, and will be the individual awarded at the end of the contest. A single cash prize (see prizes below) will be awarded to each winning entry regardless of the number of individuals who participated in the entry/project.
  2. Your work needs to be completely original.

Submission Format

  1. Please email your YouTube clip link to the following email address: contests@hslda.org. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number.
  2. We require that you also mail us a hard copy DVD in QuickTime format.

Fee

  1. $20 for HSLDA members
  2. $40 for non-HSLDA members

Final Checklist

  1. Entries must include a completed and signed entry form and permission form.
  2. Entries must include an entry fee (payable by check or money order only).
  3. Entries must include a YouTube link of the video along with a hard copy DVD in QuickTime format.

Mailing

HSLDA
Attn: Commercial Contest
One Patrick Henry Circle
Purcellville, VA 20132-3197

Judging

  • Video submissions will undergo two rounds of judging:
    • Round 1: By a panel of critics selected by HSLDA.
    • Round 2: The People’s Choice. The critics selected by HSLDA will make their top choices. Those choices will be put online, and made available for the people’s vote.
  • The HSLDA panel of critics will judge the videos on originality of thought, style, adherence the requirements, and production quality. The panel may be composed of both professional and amateur filmmakers.
  • Results of the contest will be released by the spring of 2011.

Prize Information

  • One “Critics’ Choice Award” in the amount of $1,000.
  • One “People’s Choice Award” in the amount of $1,000.

Other Information

By submitting a video you:

  • Grant Home School Legal Defense Association the right to publish all or part of your submission, (see permission form for more information.)
  • Agree to all rules and the decisions of the judges and sponsors.
  • Agree to not use copyrighted music or other media without explicit permission by the owner.
  • Do not hold Home School Legal Defense Association responsible for any lost, damaged, misdirected, delayed, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, or postage-due entries or mail.
  • Realize that all profits from this contest will go to the Home School Foundation’s Special Needs Children Fund.

Please contact Contest Coordinator at contests@hslda.org with any questions.

Bible Bee

Some kids need a little competition to motivate them. Others need some goals to help them strive harder. And, others just want some recognition for the hard work they have already put out.

What better topic to encourage kids to dig into and recognize achievement in than Scripture memorization?

Today a new friend of mine introduced me to the Bible Bee 2010. This organization and competition gives families a framework to memorize Scripture, along with some lofty goals. The competition is open to kids 7-18 and they must memorize between 250 and 800 verses (increasing amounts by age categories).

If you are interested in attending, you can register starting May 1. At this time they are looking for host registrations, so if you would like to organize a local bee, now is the time to jump online and sign up. Individuals register starting May 1, and packets will go out in June.

Individual registration is $25 per child (limit of $125 per family), and includes all materials for parents and children to participate in the bee. If they apply themselves and advance to the final round they have the opportunity to compete for prizes ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.

Whether you decide to participate officially or not, you might enjoy attending the Bible Bee finals to be held in November of this year in Schaumburg. It might be a great motivator for next year (although next year, the finals might not be so close to us in the Chicagoland area).

Check out the Bible Bee 2010 website for all the details, information, and answers to any questions you might have. And, if you do arrange a local bee, feel free to leave a comment hear letting others know and so we can spread the enthusiasm.

Giveaway!

What better way to enjoy this snowy day than with a giveaway of a wonderful brand-new (not even in the stores yet) book?

A few days ago I received a package in the mail with a children’s picture book on prayer. This book is not for me to keep, it is just for one of you! The author contacted me and graciously offered a book to giveaway to one of my readers.

To see more images or to pre-order this book to be released on February 16, check out Anthony DeStefano’s websitethis little prayer of mine book cover.

This is a beautiful book that helps teach children about prayer by walking them through a child’s prayer. Anthony DeStefano along with illustrator Mark Elliott have created a pictorial and linguistic image of praying to God with humility, thankfulness, and requests.

There an abundance of good picture books to read with your kids, but not enough of them contain a spiritual message that we would like to pass along to them. This book is a great addition to your home bookshelves.

Of course, it also caught my eye and my kids noticed that the picture hanging on the wall is Raphael’s Sistene Madonna that we were just studying in history. Nice when learning crosses real life . . .

Anyway, if you would like to enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post. And you can earn an extra entry by sharing about this giveaway with some of your friends. Either blog, tweet, post, or email about this giveaway somewhere, and come back and leave a second comment saying you did so and you will receive a second entry.

You want another entry? Well, because I appreciate all my fans and subscribers so much, if you are a fan on Facebook or a subscriber to this site leave another comment for yet another entry. Not yet a fan? No problem, become one, and then leave a comment.

That’s a total of three possible entries (one just for telling me you are reading this, one for telling others about it, and one for subscribing or being a fan).

The contest will continue through Friday, February 19, at 11:00 p.m.

Even if you don’t win you can order this online from Amazon or other websites, or keep your eye out for it in your local bookstore as well.

Midwest Creation Fellowship Writing Contest

MCF logo

Midwest Creation Fellowship, PO Box 952, Wheaton, IL 60187 PH: 847-223-4730

The Midwest Creation Fellowship is hosting their annual essay writing contest. Following are all the details taken from their website, as well as links to their website to answer any further questions you may have. They even refer you to an article on the Answers in Genesis site for more help in the actual writing of the paper.

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 14-18*)

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

Junior High Level (Ages 11- 14*)

[NOTE: I think there is a typo on their site. The site lists both age categories as 14-18, but other material I have says Jr. High is 11-14, which I listed here. That makes more sense as well.]

  • $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

Note: MCF maintains a library-by-mail which can help supply resources for writing this paper! Join now to receive 1 year of access to over 600 titles of VHS, DVD, CD, print and audio media!

All entries become the property of MCF and will not be returned. Entrants will be notified by mail of their status, usually in July. Prize-winning entries may be reproduced and distributed by MCF. Winners may be invited to present their papers at an MCF meeting.

Rules:

  1. Entries will be accepted beginning January 1, and must be sent by April 30.
  2. Mail your entry to
    MCF Contest, P.O. Box 952
    Wheaton, IL   60187-0952
    OR email it as an attachment
    to info@MidwestCreationFellowship.org.
  3. If it’s an electronic document, send it as a .DOC, .WP, or . PDF file.
  4. Paper must be:
    • typewritten
    • double spaced
    • up to 1500 words for the Junior High or 2500 words for Senior High
    • graphics may be included
    • Give references to sources of ideas, quotes and graphics. (Footnotes, endnotes and title page do not count towards the word limit.)
  5. Entries will include the author’s:
    • first and last name
    • age
    • home address
    • phone number
    • email address
    • school
    • If you’re 14 on April 30, choose which Division to enter.
    Essays will be judged on:

  1. Biblical and scientific merit
  2. Ability to communicate ideas
  3. Creativity
  4. Technical ability (writing skills, grammar, etc.)
  5. Meeting all stated rules of the contest.

If you would like to see a sample of earlier winners, you can take a look at the 2009 newsletter.  Sounds like a great opportunity for a science and English assignment!

Homeschool Blog Awards

This is a re-post of some earlier information. The earlier post did not contain the links needed to find the vote:

As important as voting in our regular elections may be, this post has nothing to do with those. Rather, I am referring to the annual Homeschool Blog Awards. Each year this group run website comes together to recognize homeschooling bloggers who make a difference in the bloggy community.

Whether you are a blogger or not, this contest can introduce you to some great bloggers, and can be a great source of encouragement, inspiration and ideas.

The blogs have already been nominated, and now the voting begins.  I would encourage you to take some time to check out the blogs and vote for some of your favorites! If you are so inclined, I would love your vote for my blog as well. My blog, Delighting In His Richness, was nominated in the “Best Cyber Buddy” Category. ~Thank you!

Voting ends November 21.

The Homeschool Blog Awards

As important as voting in our regular elections may be, this post has nothing to do with those. Rather, I am referring to the annual Homeschool Blog Awards. Each year this group run website comes together to recognize homeschooling bloggers who make a difference in the bloggy community.

Whether you are a blogger or not, this contest can introduce you to some great bloggers, and can be a great source of encouragement, inspiration and ideas.

The blogs have already been nominated, and now the voting begins.  I would encourage you to take some time to check out the blogs and vote for some of your favorites!

K’Nex contest for classrooms

Check out this great opportunity for creative, hand-on learning and a fun contest!

Please follow links for more detailed information and to register.

2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge

Register for the 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge!

K’NEX in the ClassroomK'NEX Education Classroom Challenge
K’NEX is a dynamic, open-ended spatial building system. We offer exceptional educational value through building and bringing models to life. K’NEX sets work so well in the classroom that we’ve designed an entire contest around them: the K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge.

The K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge…

  • Helps young children build manipulative skills.
  • Challenges students to use science, math and technology knowledge and skills.
  • Encourages students to apply an organized, logical strategy as they design, build and problem-solve.

    • Don’t Miss Out! Registration Deadline is December 18th, 2009
    Register to for the 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge!

    Fun Educational Prizes…K'NEX Education Classroom Challenge
    Each 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge Award Winner will receive:

  • $350 K’NEX Education gift certificate
  • 1 FREE K’NEX building set for each child.
  • K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge Sign.
  • Classroom Photo Gallery page at www.knexeducation.com.

    • 5 Easy Steps to Enter…
    Step 1: Teachers must register by 12/18/09 to be eligible to enter the Challenge. If you will be entering more than 1 class in the challenge, please register each class separately. Register now.

    Step 2: Students build an original K’NEX model that qualifies in the appropriate Building Challenge Category listed below and write the corresponding 1-page description:

  • Grades 1-2: Transportation Nation
  • Grades 3-4: Bridge Building 101
  • Grades 5-6: Amusement Park Thrill Rides

    • Step 3: Take pictures of your classroom’s K’NEX model

    Step 4: Print out and complete the entry form and have it signed by an authorized school official.

    Step 5: Send pictures of the model, the required 1-page written description and the completed, signed entry form to: 2010 K’NEXpert Classroom Challenge, K’NEX Industries, P.O. Box 700, Hatfield, PA 19440.

    Deadline for entries is February 12th, 2010 (entries must be postmarked by this date).
    Read the Official Rules and Entry Form for full details. All entries and submitted materials become the property of K’NEX.
    NO PURCHASE NECESSARY!

    Writing contest!

    The following is from the HSLDA website:

    This year, Patrick Henry College invites aspiring writers to answer the call – more specifically, A Call to Pens. PHC’s first short story competition for students ages 12-18 was set in motion last year by PHC student, Peter Forbes (now an alumnus of PHC) who wanted to support the college and give young writers an opportunity to create original works of fiction that thoughtfully reflected a Christian worldview. Over 250 students nationwide responded to the “call” with mature, well-written stories, and we eagerly await the response of participants this year.

    A Call to Pens is a contest with a broader mission than winning prizes. If we wish to shape the culture, we must first engage it – in all aspects of life. Quality Christian literature engages the culture in a less direct manner than other vocations, but it is no less important.

    For those interested in entering the contest, please visit www.phc.edu/acalltopens.php. There will be two separate divisions, each with a separate theme, based on age. Several cash prizes will be awarded to the top writers in each division. All proceeds of the competition will be given to PHC’s Annual Scholarship Fund. The entry deadline is December 30th, 2009; winners will be announced in March, 2010.

    Winner time!

    Well, the time has come. I want to thank you all for sharing this great opportunity and making plans to attend LEGOLAND’s special homeschool days.

    I sincerely wish that I had more of these to give away as there were so many of you working hard to get the word out, but the winner, thanks to help from Random.org is commenter number 10, Lois!

    Lois, I will be sending you an email shortly with the information that I need from you to submit to LEGOLAND staff.

    Thank you, again, to everyone that entered and spread the word.