The Southwest Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society is sponsoring its annual ”Chemists Celebrate Earth Day” illustrated poem contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The contest is one of several ACS educational outreach activities.

The theme of this year’s contest is “The Great Indoors - Your Home's Ecosystem”. The purpose of the contest is to have teachers and students explore topics like indoor plants, indoor air, mold, odor or any other relevant topic. Students will then present their ideas with an illustration and related poem.

There will be four judging categories and a prize of $50 will be awarded to the student with the best entry in each category. The teachers of the winning students will receive a $50  for educational science materials for their class. The contest deadline is Friday, April 15th. All illustrated poems must have a completed contest entry form.

Poems must be no more than 40 words. The winner entries are determined by faculty from the Department of Chemistry at Valdosta State University and members of the ACS. Winners will represent the local section in the national contest in Washington, DC (national prize: $300 to first-place and $150 to second-place winners). Last year our local section had two first-prize winners for the National Contest!