Conservation Contests

K-2nd Bookmark Contest

Durham County students in kindergarten through second grade are invited to participate in our Bookmark Contest.

2027 Bookmark Contest: Check back January 2027 for information on the next K-2nd Bookmark Contest.

Awards

1st place: a yard sign, an invite to our Awards Banquet, and copies of their bookmark for their whole class.
2nd place: a yard sign, an invite to our Awards Banquet, and five copies of their bookmark.

3rd -12th Grade Conservation Contests

Durham County students in 3rd - 12th grade are invited to show off their creativity and knowledge in our Conservation Contests. The contests challenge students to illustrate their knowledge through a poster, essay, slide show, or public speaking presentation. The contest is open to all Durham County public, private, charter, and homeschool students as well as student clubs.

This year's theme is: Soil and Water - Yours for Life

Create

Create a poster, slide show, essay, or speech that considers the following questions:

Why are soil and water important?
What are the main threats to our local soil and water resources?
How can we protect our soil and water resources?

Include the entry form on the back of your entry. For the Essay, Slide Show, and Public Speech contest, a signed copy of the AI Use Policy must also be submitted.

Deadline

Entries are due: Friday, December 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Judging

Posters are judge on their content and creativity. Entries are judged using a standarized rubric, which you can view here.

The top entry for each grade division will be submitted to the regional level contest. Regional winners will compete at the state contest.

Prizes

1st Place: $50, a certificate, a yard sign, and an invitiation to our Awards Celebration.
2nd Place: $25, a certifiate, a yard sign, and an invitation to our Awards Celebration.
Teachers: Teachers whose student wins 1st place will recieve $30.

Additional prizes will be awarded to entries that place at the regional and state competition.

AI Use Policy

To keep our contests fair and not violate copyright rules, the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts is incorporating an AI Use Policy to be signed by participants, their parents/guardians, and teachers to certify that AI was not used in their essay, slideshow, or speech.

Please review the AI Use Policy in the NCASWCD Contest Handbook.

A signed copy of the AI Use Policy must be submitted for each entry. You can view the policy as well as download and upload a copy of the signature form in the Conservation Contest Submissions form.

Poster Contest

Eligibility

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade

Rules

Posters should be no larger than 22x28".
No names on the front of your poster.
Poster must have the current theme as the title: "Soil and Water - Yours for Life!"
Mounted items cannot stick out more than 1/8 inch.
Posters should be colored.
Poster must be the original work of the student. Do not use coypwrighted work.
Submit your poster flat. Do not roll it.
Attach the entry form to the back of your poster.

Poster Contest Entry Form

Submit your Entry

Contact Lisa Marochak or Elicia Senff to schedule a pick up. You can also drop off your sumbission to our office: 201 E Main Street, Floor 5, Durham, NC 27701.

Essay Contest

Eligibility

6th, 7th, 8th, 9th - 12th grade.

Rules

No names on the front.
Essay must bear the current contest as the title: "Soil and Water - Yours for Life!"
Limit your essay to 300-500 words. Word count must be included on the back of the essay.
Use a standard 8.5" x 11" paper
Essays must follow the following format:
- 12 point Arial font
- 1" margins
- Double spaced
Include a bibliography of outside sources in MLA format.
Essays must be the work of the indiviual student. No group entries allowed.
Include a signed copy of the AI Use Policy

Essay Contest Entry Form

Submit your Entry

Teachers and students can submit their contest entry using the link below. Please ensure that your entry follows the rules above and contains a copy of the entry form.

Submit your Conservation Contest Entry

Slide Show Contest

Eligibility

6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th-12th grade

Rules

No more than 15 slides (not including the required slides for the Entry Form).
Include a slide that contains all your references in MLA format. The correct order for your slide show is:
- Slide Show (up to 15 slides)
- Bibliography
- Contest Entry Form
No identifying information (name, school, etc.) in the slide show or file name.
Include a blank slide between the end of your slide show and the entry form slide.
Projects must be saved as a PowerPoint, Google Slide, or Canva Presentation.
The use of audio and slide animation is allowed.
The use of video is not allowed.
Slide shows must not contain copywritten art.
The slide show must be the work of the individual student. No team entries allowed.
Include a signed copy of the AI Use Policy Form with your submission.

Slide Show Entry Form

Submit your Entry

Teachers and students can submit their contest entry using the link below. Please ensure that your entry follows the rules above and contains a copy of the entry form.

Submit your Conservation Contest Entry

Public Speaking Contest

Eligibility

6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th - 12th grade.

Rules

Speeches must be between 4 to 6 minutes long.
Speeches must be a reflection of the current topic: "Soil and Water - Yours for Life!"
Do not include personal information such as your name or school in the speech.
No visual aids are allowed.
Note cards are allowed.
Submit a typed version of your speech and a signed copy of the AI Use Policy.

Public Speaking Contest Entry Form

Submit your Entry

Teachers and students can submit their contest entry using the link below. Please ensure that your entry follows the rules above and contains a copy of the entry form. Performances will be scheduled after the deadline date.

Submit your Conservation Contest Entry

Essential Standards

NC Science Standards	NC Visual Art Standards
LS.3.3 Understand how environmental factors aid in the survival of plants. ESS.3.2. Understand the structures of Earth's surface using models.	3.CR.1.2. Create original art from realistic sources of inspiration. 3.CN.1.2 Describe how the visual arts connect to other content areas and everyday life.

NC Science Standards

NC Visual Art Standards

LS.3.3 Understand how environmental factors aid in the survival of plants.

ESS.3.2. Understand the structures of Earth's surface using models.

3.CR.1.2. Create original art from realistic sources of inspiration.

3.CN.1.2 Describe how the visual arts connect to other content areas and everyday life.

NC Science Standards

NC Visual Art Standards

ESS.4.2 Understand patterns of change in Earth's surface over time.

ESS.4.3. Understand changes caused by human impact on the environment.

4.CR.1.1 Develop imaginative and expressive ideas using iagery from North Carolina as source material to create art.

4.CN.1.2 Use skills and concepts learned in other content areas everyday life in visual arts.

NC Science Standards

NC Visual Art Standards

LS.5.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals within their ecosystem.

ESS.5.1. Understand how Earth systems (hydrosphere and atmosphere) impact patterns of weather and climate.

3.CR.1.2. Create original realistic, imaginative, abstract, and non-objective art.

NC Science Standards

NC ELA Standards

LS.6.2 Understand the flow of energy through ecosystems and the responses of populations to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment.

ESS.6.2 Understand the lithosphere and how interactions of constructive and destructive forces have resulted in changes in the surface of the earth over time.

ESS.6.3 Understand the relationship between the lithosphere and humans.

6.CW.5 Conduct research projects to sufficiently answer a question related to a topic, concept, or theme aligned to grade 6 content.

6.CW.8 Construct spoken and written expository texts to examine a topic and clearly convey ideas, concepts, and infomation through the selection, organization, and examination of relevant content.

NC Science Standards

NC ELA Standards

ESS.7.1 Understand the atmosphere and how the cycling of water relates to Earth's weather and climate.

7.CW.5 Conduct research projects to sufficiently answer a question related to a topic, concept, or theme aligned to grade 7 content.

7.CW.8 Construct spoken and written expository texts to examine a topic and clearly convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and examination of relevant content.

NC Science Standards

NC ELA Standards

LS.8.2. Understand how organisms interact with and respond to the biotic and abiotic factors in their environment.

ESS.8.2. Understand the hydrosphere including freshwater, estuarine, ocean systems.

ESS.8.3. Understand the reciprocal relationship between the hydrosphere and humans.

8.CW.5 Conduct research projects to sufficiently answer a question related to a topic, concept, or theme aligned to grade 8 content.

8.CW.8 Construct spoken and written expository texts to examine a topic and clearly convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and examination of relevant content.

NC Science Standards

NC ELA Standards

ESS.EESS.2 Analyze how the geosphere is shaped by plate tectonics and the rock cycle.

ESS.EES.5. Evaluate how human consumption patterns impact Earth's systems.

ESS.EES.6 Analyze how Earth's systems impact humans and the biosphere.

9-10.CW.5 Conduct research projects to sufficiently answer a question related to a topic, concept, or theme aligned to grades 9-10 content.

9-10.CW.8 Construct spoken and written expository texts to examine a topic and clearly convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and examination of relevant content.

11-12.CW.5 Conduct research projects to sufficiently answer a question related to a topic, concept, or theme aligned to grades 11-12 content.

11-12.CW.8 Construct spoken and written expository texts to examine a topic and clearly convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and examination of relevant content.