KIDS TO PARKS DAY NATIONAL SCHOOL CONTEST

Transcription

1 KIDS TO PARKS DAY NATIONAL SCHOOL CONTEST Dear Students, Parents, Teachers, and Administrators, Kids to Parks Day is May 19, 2018! National Park Trust (NPT) invites students across the country to participate in the 8th annual Kids to Parks Day, a nationwide grassroots movement to celebrate America s parks and public lands. In honor of this day, NPT is once again hosting the Kids to Parks Day National School Contest to help educators engage their students with their local parks. This national contest is open to all Title I schools in the United States (grades pre-k through 12). Classes can receive funding for a KTP event at a park or public land/waterway in their community. Students must research and write the proposal themselves, although we encourage teachers to provide support and feedback! Your entries should explain how your experience will promote education, health and wellness, and park stewardship. NPT will award park grants up to $1,000 to winning entries. We encourage schools to implement their KTP event during the month of May 2018 but exceptions can be made based on school schedules. The deadline for entries is Thursday, February 1, Winners will be announced Wednesday, February 14, To enter: Students select a park or public land near their school. Students research the park to find out what outdoor recreation activities, educational programs, and park stewardship opportunities are available. Students complete the two-page entry form attached. Details: One entry form can be submitted per class/grade; however, more than one entry form can be submitted per school. We want to hear from the students! Help them develop their ideas, but allow them to complete the proposal in their own words. You may provide feedback and support. o If students are unable to complete the proposal for any reason, please KTPContest@parktrust.org; or call Be creative! Include photos, artwork, or a video as a part of your entry. Priority will be given to schools demonstrating need. Cover letters from teachers are encouraged to provide evidence for the need for resources. Contest winners will receive: Funding for one park experience including school bus transportation, park-related fees, educational materials, supplies for a park stewardship project, or any other aspects students believe will enhance their park experience. Official award certificate, KTP patch, and KTP stickers for students. Classroom Buddy Bison, our pint-sized woolly mascot, to take on your park adventure. A story about your experience written by your students may be featured on our website, in our e-newsletter, or in our educational materials.

2 Winning submissions must agree to: Send at least 10 digital photos from your park trip. Photos should include your students learning, enjoying, and experiencing what the park has to offer. Please include little Buddy Bison in the pictures as well! Photos must be received by two weeks after your trip or June 4, or more paragraphs summarizing and reflecting on the experience, preferably at least one from a student and one from the lead teacher as well. (One summary per class is required, but more are welcomed). Written summary/reflection must be received by June 8, Use social media to share their park experience with their community, tagging National Park Trust and using hashtags associated with Kids to Parks Day. The classroom can choose what social media platform they would like to use (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram). Classrooms that do not have access to social media platforms agree to provide at least one digital photo of students on their park experience within 2 days of the trip in order for National Park Trust to share the experience via social media. Please note: any photos or written materials received may be used in NPT s publications or materials, including our website, e-newsletters, slideshows, social media, etc. for educational or marketing purposes. If provided, we may use first names of students. The entry form and all materials should be sent or ed to: National Park Trust or faxed to c/o KTP Contest KTPcontest@parktrust.org 401 E. Jefferson Street Suite 207 Rockville, MD Your entry must incorporate all 3 of these categories: 1. Education: Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate meaningful educational experiences. Ask students to focus their activities in a few areas in order to bring a depth of understanding. Some examples are: Science o Biology: ecosystems, plant/animal adaptations, human/wildlife interactions o Geology: rock cycle, erosion/deposition, mountain building, volcanoes o Hydrology: lake formation, salinity, water quality History o Battle sites during wars, such as the Revolutionary or Civil o Westward Expansion, including Lewis and Clark, Oregon Trail, or Gold Rush o Civil Rights Movement, including sites of important speeches or events Engineering o Bridge design o Stabilization of high erosion sites o Coastal structure design

3 2. Stewardship: There are many ways to preserve our parks! During your research, ask the rangers if there are any activities you can do at your park to practice stewardship. Some examples include: Plant native trees, shrubs, or flowers Remove invasive plants Lay mulch Clean up the park Raise funds to donate to a local park; Pennies for Parks event Write letters to elected officials to advocate for park preservation Help with trail construction 3. Health: How are you going to promote a healthy lifestyle while visiting the park? For example, you could Hike Make healthy snacks Play on a playground Practice yoga or meditation Canoe or kayak Bike NOTE: National Park Trust can NOT provide funds for lunch.

4 Kids to Parks Day National School Contest 2018 Contest Deadline: February 1, 2018 Preference will be given to entries prepared by students in their own words. Winners will be announced on February 14. Students are encouraged to be creative. Videos, pictures, and drawings are encouraged to supplement the proposal. The entry form may be typed or handwritten with legible writing. All materials received will be used for educational purposes and are the property of National Park Trust. Submitted by: School Information Number of Students Participating and Grade: Name of School: Classroom Teacher: Best Contact # and Time of Day: (Cell Phone Optional) Park Name: School Address: Teacher s What do you plan on learning while at the park? How are you going to promote a healthy life style while visiting the park? How can you leave the park a better place? How can you be a steward for the park?

5 Why do you think your class should be selected as the Kids to Parks Day National School Contest Winner? Teachers: Please feel free to provide a cover letter demonstrating the need for a park scholarship for your students. Budget for Park Visit Students - please complete the brief budget for your park trip Item Explanation Cost Bus/transportation -contact your bus company for pricing Park Experience/other fees -canoe rentals, entrance fee, guided tour, or other park fees Stewardship Project -plants, mulch, cleaning supplies, trash bags, vinyl gloves or other supplies Other - snacks, refreshments, educational materials NOTE: We cannot provide funds for lunch. Total: