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

You definitely do not want to miss their homeschool corner. Here is a sampling of what you can find on this site:

Free Ebooks:

A Classical Education
A Light Unto My Path
A New Beginning
Career Exploration
Creation Vs Evolution
Don’t Rush God
Fall Harvest
Homeschooling The Rebel 1
Intelligent Design
I Was Raised By Wolves
Lincoln Vs Darwin (with copywork)
Living In A Castle
Missing In Action
Time Flies

Articles in PDF format:

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!