The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and the Philadelphia Water Department are now accepting entries for the 2018 Green City, Clean Waters Student Art Contest. The deadline for entries is February 28.

This annual competition is open to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade, including those that are homeschooled, throughout the City of Philadelphia.

For seventeen years, the nonprofit National Estuary Program has been a partner of the Philadelphia Water Department to administer this exciting contest, which educates thousands of children in public and private schools annually about stormwater runoff, a leading cause of water pollution throughout the Delaware Estuary.

This form of pollution occurs when water from rain or melted snow flows over sealed surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and streets. This rainwater picks up litter, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants on its way into sewers and into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing, drinking and more.

So what do creative students get if they win? The top three winners in each of the four age groups receive gift cards ranging from $25 to $100, artwork featured in the 2018-2019 calendar (which is free to the public), and the opportunity to win the brand new “People’s Choice Award.”

This new award will go to the student whose artwork that gets the most online votes from the public. But that’s not all!

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority will feature first place drawings in an advertising campaign for thousands of people too enjoy.

“Marrying art with sciences is an extremely effective way to explain difficult concepts,” says Renée Brecht, Director of Outreach with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.  “This contest provides a perfect avenue for teachers to talk about impacts on our waterways in a fun, positive and engaging way. Hands-on activities that stimulate creativity are exactly what new science standards are trying to move towards, and we want to help Philadelphia teachers do this.”

Teachers- you get something too! The first school to submit 100 qualified entries or more by the February 28 deadline will also receive a $100 gift card for school supplies. Plus, each teacher of a winning student will receive a $50 gift card.

To learn more about water pollution, visit the Green City, Clean Waters Student Art Contest webpage.  Questions should be directed to Brittany Musolino at 302-655-4990 ext.112.

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[Posted: Jan. 22, 2018]

1/29/2018