MWRA Online
Home
About MWRA
Water System
Sewer System
Harbor and Bay
School Program
Doing Business with MWRA
Contact MWRA

Poster & Writing Contest: FAQs for Students
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

 

MORE INFORMATION
image of contest poster
School Program main page
Contest main page
FAQS for students
FAQs for teachers
Rules and details (PDF)
Complete packet of info, forms and rules (PDF)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ELIGIBILITY

Contests are limited to
schools located within the MWRA service area.
Eligible communities

FORMS AND LABELS

Registration Forms
(.doc) | (.pdf)
Student Labels for Contest Entries
(.doc) | (.pdf)
HELPFUL LINKS
Water Conservation
Boston Harbor Cleanup Time Line
History of the MWRA Sewer System
LAST YEAR'S WINNERS

Need inspiration?

small poster grimes

Check out our contest winners for 2009-2010

 

CONTACT INFO
MWRA Staff Contacts

This page contains information that students might find helpful when preparing their posters and essays. Good luck!

check A complete packet of rules, FAQs, printable forms and details is available for download (PDF).
check Remember - entries must be postmarked by Friday, March 11, 2011. Early entries are encouraged.
check For more information about Water Conservation and The Boston Harbor Cleanup, check out our Helpful Links section.

 

GENERAL QUESTIONS
When is the contest deadline?
What are the prizes?
What information needs to be included with my poster and/or writing entry?
Where can I get a student label?
May I enter the contest on my own or does it have to be through the school?
May I enter both the poster and writing contests?
How will I be notified if I win?
POSTER CONTEST QUESTIONS
What size should my poster be?
What makes a good poster?
What are this year's poster topic?
Can friends work on posters together?
Do posters have to be drawings?
How will my poster be judged?
WRITING CONTEST QUESTIONS
What makes a good writing entry?
What is this year’s writing contest topic?
Do I have to write my entry on a computer?
How will my writing entry be judged?

When is the contest deadline?

Entries must be postmarked by Friday, March 11, 2011. Early entries are encouraged.

Back to top

What are the prizes?

First prize in each category is a $100.00 gift check, 2nd prize is a $50.00 check, and 3rd prize is a $25.00 check.  In the poster contest there are (3) categories K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.  In the writing contest the (3) categories are 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  In each of the (6) categories there is a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and (3) honorable mention winners.  All winners, including honorable mention winners, are invited with their families to an Awards Ceremony at Deer Island on May 27, 2011.

Back to top

What information needs to be included with my entry?

All posters and writing entries must have a completed Student Label attached to the back of the entry. Labels should be taped or glued to the back of the entry (not paper clipped or stapled). If the label falls off, you can’t win.

Back to top

Where can I get a student label?

Ask your teacher for one or download it from one of these links:
Student labels (.doc) | (.pdf)

Back to top

May I enter the contest on my own or does it have to be through the school?

You may enter on your own if you live in or attend a school located in the MWRA service area. You must include the student label on the back of your entry.

Back to top

May I enter both the poster and writing contests?

If you are in grades 3-8, you may enter both contests.

Back to top

How will I be notified if I win?

Your teacher will receive an e-mail to let him or her know if there are any winners in the class.

Back to top

What size should the poster be?

Your poster must be no smaller than 8.5 X 11 inches and no larger than 18 X 24 inches.

Back to top

What makes a good poster?

Make sure your poster is on topic.  Don't try to include too many ideas or activities  on your poster.  A single message, clearly illustrated, is more effective. If you use lettering, make sure it can be read from across a room.

Back to top

What is this year’s poster contest topic?

For the poster contest, students are being asked to create a poster that illustrates the theme of "Water Conservation." Posters will be judged in three grade level categories: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8.

Back to top

Can friends work on posters together?

No, only individual work will be accepted. 

Back to top

Do posters have to be drawings?

No, posters can be any form of art you choose to express the topic.  You can create a collage with pictures cut out of a magazine, you can use pieces of fabric or you can create a drawing using markers, crayons, paints, or charcoal.  We are looking for unique and creative works of art.

Posters must be no smaller than 8.5 X 11 inches and no bigger than 18 X 24 inches.  Be sure to attach a student label to the back of your poster.

Back to top

How will my poster be judged?

MWRA staff will select the strongest posters from the entries in each category.  Then a panel of judges will score the posters on originality, clarity of message, creative and artistic use of materials, and quality of work.

Back to top

What makes a good writing entry?

First, be sure your entry addresses the question.  As good as a piece might be, if it isn't on topic, it can't win a prize.  Then, use your creativity to make your entry stand out.  The reader should remember your work because there was something unique about it. An essay can be just as creative as a poem or dialogue, if it has a clear theme and develops it cleverly.

Back to top

What is this year’s writing contest topic?

For the writing contest, students are being asked to write about "What a Clean Boston Harbor Means to Me." Entries will be judged in three grade level categories: 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

Back to top

Do I have to write my entry on a computer?

Writing entries may be written neatly in ink and can be no longer than two pages.  Please use only one side of the paper and be sure to attach a Student Label securely to the back of your entry.  Audio and video entries will not be accepted.

Back to top

How will my writing entry be judged?

MWRA staff will select the best entries in each category.  Copies will be given to a judging panel, who will first read and rate them and then meet to decide the winners.  Writing entries will be judged on factual accuracy, creativity, originality and persuasiveness.

Back to top


Only schools located in the MWRA Service Area listed below are eligible to participate in the Annual Poster & Writing Contest

Water
Sewer
Water & Sewer

Chicopee
Clinton
Leominster
Lynn  
Lynnfield
Marblehead
Marlborough
Nahant
Northborough
Peabody
Saugus
Southborough
South Hadley
Swampscott
Weston
Wilbraham
Worcester

Ashland
Braintree
Burlington
Dedham
Hingham
Holbrook
Lancaster
Natick
Randolph
Reading
Walpole
Westwood
Weymouth
Wilmington

Arlington
Bedford
Belmont
Boston
Brookline
Cambridge
Canton
Chelsea
Everett
Framingham
Lexington
Malden
Medford
Melrose
Milton
Needham
Newton
Norwood
Quincy
Revere
Somerville
Stoneham
Stoughton
Wakefield
Waltham
Watertown
Wellesley
Winchester
Winthrop
Woburn
Schools located on Cape Cod and within the Quabbin and Wachusett Watershed are also eligible to participate.

Back to top


STAFF CONTACTS

Meg Tabacsko – 617-660-7975
Meg.Tabacsko@mwra.state.ma.us

Back to top

Updated January 6, 2011