Attention writers! If you think food writing is all five-star restaurant ratings and reviews of overpriced escargot and the velvet pioppini (that’s a mushroom), read on. Food—and the way we grow, source, prepare, eat, and write about it—is so much more. Food links us to our families, our histories, our culture, our health, our environment, our bodies… and to tradition, ritual, and celebration. As the food journalist and cookbook author Ramin Ganeshram puts it, “it’s not really about the food.” This month, write an essay about food and so much more. We hungrily await your entry.
Competition Opens: 6/1/20 Submit for Expert Review: 6/8/20
Final Entries Due: 6/16/20 To enter go to Write the World Website
Due July 1st, 2020 - The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified on August 26, 1920. One hundred years later, on August 25-26, 2020, we will commemorate this great event by celebrating the history of The Justice Bell with two major events and a “Let Justice Ring” video contest open to the public.
The Justice Bell which resides at the National Patriots Bell Tower at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge PA, was known as the women’s liberty bell and was the idea of Katharine Wentworth Ruschenberger.
The “Let Justice Ring” video contest invites you to submit a short video on the theme of women’s suffrage including the Justice Bell. Entries will be posted on YouTube, reviewed and voted upon by a panel of judges, and prizes will be given. The first prize-winning video will be premiered at the Justice Bell send-off event on August 25, 2020.
The video should be family-friendly.
Entries should be no more than 5 minutes in length.
Click the link below for Official Rules and more details.
Prizes
1st Prize: $500
2nd Prize: $300
3rd Prize: $200
Eligibility Open to all.
Background
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified on August 26, 1920. One hundred years later, on August 25-26, 2020, we will commemorate this great event by celebrating the history of The Justice Bell with two major events and a “Let Justice Ring” video contest open to the public.
The Justice Bell which resides at the National Patriots Bell Tower at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge PA, was known as the women’s liberty bell and was the idea of Katharine Wentworth Ruschenberger.
The “Let Justice Ring” video contest invites you to submit a short (5 minute or less) video on the theme of women’s suffrage including the Justice Bell. Entries will be posted on YouTube, reviewed and voted upon by a panel of judges, and prizes will be given. The first prize-winning video will be premiered at the Justice Bell send-off event on August 25, 2020.
Rules of the Contest
The “Let Justice Ring” Video Contest is open to everyone.
Video should be 5 minutes (or less) including credits.
Video should be family friendly.
All music copyright, talent, releases/permissions must be attested to with each entry.
ALL entries must be received by July 1, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
Upload video to YouTube by July 1, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Set to public and downloadable.
Participants to provide YouTube link in Submission Form.
Winners will be notified by August 1, 2020
Need ideas for your 5-min “Let Justice Ring” Video?
Who was Katharine Wentworth Ruschenberger?
History of the Justice Bell. How did it end up at Washington Memorial Chapel? Where was it forged? Who paid for it?
Why is the Justice Bell important?
Mark Twain’s comments on women’s suffrage
What is the 19th amendment?
Inscription on the Justice Bell and how it differs from that on the Liberty Bell, and why
What happened with women’s suffrage in 1919? in 1920?
What is the history of the Woman’s Suffrage Memorial in Fairfax County, VA?
What was it like to campaign for the right to vote?
What were the difficulties in getting the necessary votes for 19th amendment?
When did women get the right to vote in other countries?
Friday, May 15, 2020
Reedsy Short Story Contest – Due next Friday, May 22, 2020
1,000-3.000 words
Win $50
If enter the contest, please send me a copy.
End of Story 📚
Reaching the end of a story is a bittersweet thing. Upon reading the final word of a particularly good piece, you’re often hit with a sort of story-hangover: the ache of wanting to stay in the world of the tale, yet knowing there’s no more story to be read.
A truly excellent ending can mitigate that pain — which is why, as a writer, it’s crucial to nail the end of your own stories! Of course, this can mean different things for different pieces. A great ending might underscore a story's theme, or it might pose more questions than it answers; it all depends on context and execution. For more info, check out our tips for crafting a memorable ending here, and then dive into our ending-themed prompts below!
Reedsy challenges you to create a short story based on these prompts. Winners will be featured on Reedsy Prompts and receive $50 via PayPal! In order to have your story considered, it is important you follow the submission guidelines.
The Latest Winner 🏆
Congratulations to the latest winner, Fredrikke Barth! Their short story, "Love," is based on the prompt: Write a story inspired by this quote from Ally Condie: "Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm glad for that."
The 'You've Got a Friend in Me' edition of our contest received 755 submissions! Thank you to all who submitted! You can read all of the entries here.
Schools/Students must be registered by January 15, 2021.
Local Bridge Building Contest
The Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition 2021 event is tentatively planned to be held on February 27th 2021 at Viewmont Mall in Dickson City, PA.
Rules for this competition change every year. As of 5-10-2020 the rules have not been posted.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The Competition will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. after all bridges have been checked in. Hope to see you there.
In order to receive official wood and participate in the contest, contact Paul Schneider by e-mail at nepabridge@gmail.com.
Schools/Students must be registered by January 15, 2021.
Each school is limited to three bridges from 3 different competitors (NO TEAMS ARE PERMITTED).
Students may participate in person, by proxy, or by mail entry.
Please visit our website www.neparbdgblg.com for specific suggestions and information relative to our competition.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: Paul Schneider at nepabridge@gmail.com
The 2021 competition criteria has NOT YET been posted.
COMPETITION CRITERIA
NOT YET ACTIVE
School representatives complete this form to express your school's intent to participate.
INTENT TO PARTICIPATE
NOT YET ACTIVE
Complete this form to register your students by January 15, 2021. Please wait until all intramural competitions are complete before registering your students.
STUDENT REGISTRATION
NOT YET ACTIVE
Local Bridge Building Contest
The Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition 2021 event is tentatively planned to be held on February 27th 2021 at Viewmont Mall in Dickson City, PA.
Rules for this competition change every year. As of 5-10-2020 the 2021 rules have not been posted.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The Competition will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. after all bridges have been checked in. Hope to see you there.
In order to receive official wood and participate in the contest, contact Paul Schneider by e-mail at nepabridge@gmail.com.
Schools/Students must be registered by January 15, 2021.
Each school is limited to three bridges from 3 different competitors (NO TEAMS ARE PERMITTED).
Students may participate in person, by proxy, or by mail entry.
Please visit our website www.neparbdgblg.com for specific suggestions and information relative to our competition.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: Paul Schneider at nepabridge@gmail.com
HELPFUL LINKS TO LEARN ABOUT BRIDGES AND ENGINEERING BASICS:
My theme for this week is "fuzzy friends." From Hedwig in the Harry Potter series to Enzo in the The Art of Racing in the Rain, nothing captures hearts like a beloved animal. Animals can be protagonists, sidekicks, or powerful antagonists, too: just look at Jurassic Park!Perhaps what I love most about books featuring fuzzy friends (or foes) is that they mine the depths of the human heart by exploring how we interact with animals. I hope these prompts help you sniff out a good story!
(Don't forget to check out the bottom of this email for an exclusive announcement!)
Reedsy challenges you to create a short story based on these prompts. Winners will be featured on Reedsy Prompts and receive $50 via PayPal! In order to have your story considered, it is important you follow the submission guidelines.
The Latest Winner 🏆
Congratulations to the latest winner, Masha Kurbatova! Their short story, "sole mate," is based on the prompt: Write a story that begins and ends with someone looking up at the stars.
Play Competition- New Due May 19, 2020 https://writetheworld.com/competitions
Opening Monday, May 4!
Even while students are cooped up at home, they can still take to the stage this month by composing their own one-act plays for our Playwriting Competition!
Composed of a single scene or a series of scenes, the one-act delivers a powerful punch. This genre requires students to make every word, gesture, and stage direction count while raising the curtain on an important event or experience that will change the characters involved.
Entries are due Tuesday, May 19. Full guidelines will be available here on Monday, May 4.
Step onto the Write the World stage this month with your own one-act play. Composed of a single scene or a series of scenes, the one-act delivers a powerful punch. Like the short story, this genre requires the writer—you!—to make every word count, every gesture, intonation, and stage direction. This month, raise the curtain on an important event or experience that will change the characters involved, and let the drama unfold.
Competition Opens: 5/4/20 Submit for Expert Review: 5/11/20 Final Entries Due: 5/19/20
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
ENRICHMENT
Reedsy Writing Contest
1,000-3,000 Words Win $50
Due Friday, May 1, 2020
If you enter this contest, please send me a copy of your entry. Thank you
Earth to Writers 🌍
This was a big week for celebrations. Wednesday was World Earth Day and yesterday was World Book Day!
Of course, to us voracious readers, every day is Book Day. So for this week's prompts, we're giving a special shout-out to the little blue dot in space we all call home — because without her, we wouldn't have books, either!
(And if you'd like to combine your World and Book Day celebrations, here's a sci-fi reading list that's out of this world.)
And if you'd like to combine your World and Book Day celebrations, here's a sci-fi reading list that's out of this world.)
challenges you to create a short story based on these prompts. Winners will be featured on Reedsy Prompts and receive $50 via PayPal! In order to have your story considered, it is important you follow the submission guidelines.
The Latest Winner 🏆
Congratulations to the latest winner, Hayley I! Their short story, "Your Move," is based on the prompt: Write a story about someone who keeps coming across the same stranger.
Due June 25th, 2020 - The Breakthrough Junior Challenge aims to bring big ideas in life sciences, physics and math to people all over the world, with a YouTube video. Choose a concept or theory in mathematics, life sciences, or fundamental physics that are important to understand but challenging to explain. This year, you also have the option of educating the world about the COVID-19 pandemic by sharing some of the science or math behind its causes, impacts and potential solutions. Create a short video to get the idea across in an engaging, illuminating, and imaginative way.
The Breakthrough Prize was created to honor important advancements in the categories of Fundamental Physics, Life Sciences and Mathematics. The Breakthrough Prizes were founded by Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. The Breakthrough Prize aims to celebrate the best scientific work and inspire the next generation of scientists.
You get it. You’ve grasped an important scientific theory, concept or principle.
Now can you share your insight?
An inventive video can get across complex material that would take pages of text to communicate.
Your film can take any form you like: animation, talking head, documentary, dramatic reconstruction, whatever. It’s worth keeping in mind that video is a dynamic visual medium – using diagrams, simulations, physical demonstrations etc. is a lot more effective than standing in front of a blackboard talking.
Entries should be no more than 3-minutes in length.
Click the link below for Official Rules and more details.
Prizes
Grand Prize: $250,000 College Scholarship $100,000 Science Lab
Eligibility Open to students globally aged 13 to 18
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Check out the following link for enrichment. It was recommended by Mrs. Ernst.
As you may know Mr. Kishbaugh and my husband, Mr. Billet are members of Mensa.
Enter Online Due Friday, April 24, 2020 Win $50 Length 1,000-3,000 words
If you enter online, please send me a copy. Thanks, Mrs. Billet
Close to Home 🏠
A few weeks ago, our 'Staying Inside'-themed contest received quite a big response from the Reedsy Prompts community. Because this is clearly a relatable theme for so many these days, we've decided to run a second edition of prompts that all revolve around being at home.
But that's not the only popular writing activity we're bringing back: today, we're hosting another LIVE Write-In on YouTube at 3pm Eastern Time! Once again, our hosts Shaelin and Jenn will guide you through a series of 20-minute writing sprints. During the breaks, you can share your progress and ask our hosts any questions you may have.
Reedsy challenges you to create a short story based on these prompts. Winners will be featured on Reedsy Prompts and receive $50 via PayPal! In order to have your story considered, it is important you follow the submission guidelines.
The Latest Winner 🏆
Congratulations to the latest winner, Zilla Babbitt! Their short story, "Kiss of the Snake," is based on the prompt: In the form of diary/ journal entries, write about someone who's just decided to take up journaling.
Daniel Defoe also wrote the novel A Journal of the Plague Year
First published in March 1722. It is an account of one man's experiences of the year 1665, in which the bubonic plague struck the city of London in what become known as the Great Plague of London, the last such epidemic in that city. The book is told somewhat chronologically.
As a jounalist, Defoe researched the topic extensively and wrote the novel, A Journal of the Plague Year. Defoe was born circa 1660, so with his interviews, he was able to write the following novel about the bubonic plague. Are there some similarities between the Corona Virus and the Bubonic Plague?
A Journal of the Plague Year- is a well researched, fictional account
The staff from Pathway To Recovery is sponsoring a poster contest!
Our theme is:
“What are the Dangers of Smoking or Vaping on your body, other people, or the environment?”
The poster can be any size you desire. You can use any art medium such as paint, crayons, colored pencils, computer graphics, or even just a regular pen or pencil. You may also include words and sentences on your poster. Each poster will be available to the public so make sure it is appropriate for all ages! We will be choosing one winner from each of the following age groups: 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18. The winner will receive a free large cheese pizza and a goody bag delivered directly to your house from a local restaurant.
Entries can be submitted three ways:
Have a parent/ guardian take a picture of your poster with your first name, your age, and your school; then post it to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tik Tok. Make sure you make it public,tag us, and use the hashtag #PTRPrevention in the post.
Have an adult drop the poster off at Pathway To Recovery. Make sure your name, age, and a phone number are on the back.
It can also be mailed or emailed to the address below. Again, make sure your name, age, and a phone number is included.
All entries must be submitted by Friday, May 1, 2020. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Participants must attend a school within the Hazleton Area.
Mrs. Panzarella, Miss Lauren, Ms Diaz, Mr. Ventura, and Mr. Panzarella say:
Individual Poems Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction Win $200.00
Win $200.00
Deadline April 30 (must be received by this date; don't enter before July 1). Recommended free contest for poetry, fiction, and literary nonfiction by high school students awards $200 in each genre. Award is for work already accepted for publication in the Polyphony Lit annual print magazine; no separate submission process. Poems should be 80 lines maximum, stories and essays 1,800 words maximum. Limit of 3 entries per author across the 3 genres. Enter via online form.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
World Explorers Webquest
After you complete your webquest, please send it to me in attachment via Schoology, and I will provide you the answers.
Please provide four additional facts concerning your response that you learned and identify the name of the
website (s) and the link(s).
1. Who was the first woman to climb Mt. Everest?_____________ Include four facts and the website's names and links.
Include only two facts about each explorer and the website's names and links.
3. Hawaii is associated with this famous explorer _______________
What was his nationality? include four facts and the website's names and links.
4. Denali/Mount McKinley, Alaska- name at least one explorer associated with this national park/landmark. Why does it have two names? Include four facts and the website's names and links.
5. China is associated with this famous explorer from the 13th century.
Include four facts and the website's names and links.
6. Lake Victoria is located in ________________. The explorer credited with finding and naming it is _________________. Include four facts and the website's names and links.
7. Florida and the Fountain of Youth is associated with this explorer ___________ Include four facts and the website's names and links.
8. Louisiana Territory is associated with these two explorers ________________ and ______________I Include four facts and the website's names and links.
9. Japan is associated with this 17th Century English explorer______________ Include four facts and the website's names and links.
10. This famous British explorer plundered many Spanish towns and ships in the Caribbean and elsewhere. However, he is most notable for completing the second circumnavigation of the world (1577–80). He is _______ He was a privateer. A privateer is an armed ship owned and officered by private individuals holding a government commission and authorized for use in war, especially in the capture of enemy merchant shipping. Include four facts and the website's names and links.
11. The moon is associated withwhich explorer? __________________
Include four facts and the website's names and links.
12. The Nile/Sudan is associated with 19th Century explorer _______ Include four facts and the website's names and links.
13. Who were David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley? Include four facts about these explorers and the website's names and links.
14. Sir Ernest Shackleton is famous for _______________ Include four facts and the website's names and links.
15. Who was Jules Verne? And why is he on this list? Include four facts and the website's names and links.
16. Fridtjof Nansen explored__________________ Besides being an explorer he studied this part of the anatomy ____________ Include four facts and the website's names and links.
17. Jacque Cousteau is an explorer and he is famous for his work in __________________.
His museum dedicated to his is located here. ___________________ (I was lucky enough to visit it). Include four facts and the website's names and links.
18. Who is Ferdinand Magellan? Include four facts and the website's names and links.
19. Who is Amerigo Vespucci?
Include four facts and the website's names and links.
20. Who is Ibn Buttata? He traveled more than any other explorer in distance.
Include four facts and the website's names and links.
21. Who was the "The World's Most Traveled Girl"?
__________ Include four facts and the website's names and links.
22. What is the Explorer's Club? (It is a prestigious invitational only club. ambassadors, astronauts and world leaders belong to this club. My cousin is a member of this organization. Include four facts and the website's names and links.
23. Vasco de Gama, was a Portuguese explorer. He explored this area____
Include four facts and the website's names and links
Monday, April 13, 2020
The Game is Afoot 👣
The draw of a puzzle — be it a jigsaw, word cross, or Sudoku — is the opportunity to call on our skills of deduction; to start with what seems like disparate pieces of information, and end up with the complete picture.
Mystery novels are the same! They intrigue us by leaving a trail of clues, prompting us to try and work out what's really going on as the story unravels.
Our love of mystery books is what inspired our recent post on the 30 best mystery novels of all time, as well as this week's prompts. Come, writers! The game is afoot.
Reedsy challenges you to create a short story based on these prompts. Winners will be featured on Reedsy Prompts and receive $50 via PayPal! In order to have your story considered, it is important you follow the submission guidelines.
The Latest Winner 🏆
Congratulations to the latest winner, Naomi Coffman! Their short story, "Spring Queen," is based on the prompt: Write a story that takes place at a spring dance.
There is still time to participate in our international student art competition, the Science Without Borders® Challenge! Submit your artwork by Monday, April 20, for your chance to win up to $500.
This year the theme for the Science Without Borders® Challenge is “Take Action: Conserve Coral Reefs.” Throughout the world, coral reefs are rapidly declining and threatened by a variety of factors—both natural and man-made. If nothing is done to save them, many coral reefs will no longer exist as functioning ecosystems by the end of the century. To apply, students should use to use their artistic talents to illustrate one or more of the different actions that can be taken to preserve coral reefs.
The Science Without Borders® Challenge was created to get students and teachers interested in ocean conservation through art. It is open to middle and high school students 11-19 years old, and the winners in each category receive a $500 scholarship to help support their education. We strongly encourage international students to apply and look forward to judging a large and diverse pool of entries this year.
We have modified the application process this year to allow students to submit their artwork online. This is an excellent project for middle and high school students to work on while they are learning from home. For supplemental educational materials to learn about coral reefs, see our Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum and our e-Learning Resources.
Help make the Science Without Borders® Challenge a success by telling teachers and students in your own network about this ocean art contest and encouraging them to apply.
Khan Academy Khan Academy is a free resource that offers lessons, videos, and full courses. Teachers and students can create a free login and it integrates with Google Classroom! Students can learn and practice skills with a personalized, mastery-based learning system. Instructional videos help students learn or review material, and the exercises, quizzes, and tests give students the opportunity to practice and master skills.
iCivics exists to engage students in meaningful civic learning. We provide teachers well-written, inventive, and free resources that enhance their practice and inspire their classrooms
There is still time to participate in our international student art competition, the Science Without Borders® Challenge! Submit your artwork by Monday, April 20, for your chance to win up to $500. 
Click here to learn more and apply