Statewide Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is inviting fifth and sixth grade teachers to encourage their students to participate in the EPA’s annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest.

From the EPA: The theme of the 2025 competition is “How Can You Slash Your Trash?”, inviting students to think creatively about how to reduce the amount of waste they produce. This could include buying fewer/eliminating single-use products; composting food waste; repairing broken items instead of replacing them; and recycling objects that cannot be re-used or repaired. 

Each participating student whose work meets the eligibility guidelines and requirements will receive a certificate. Finalists will receive a certificate, a ribbon, and an invitation to the awards ceremony in Springfield (subject to change). The top twelve entries will be displayed on the Illinois EPA website providing recognition for the winning entries as well as promoting the program.

We believe that the creation of posters and written works gives your students an opportunity to express and share what they have learned on a deeper and more personal level using their creative and artistic abilities. The online student exhibition also draws broader attention to the different ways we can all contribute to reducing our environmental impacts.

Entries must be submitted by February 3, 2025. For full contest details and timeline – Click Here.