The National Academy of Engineering sponsors an annual essay contest for precollege students dealing with the importance of engineering and its impact on our world. Boys and girls ages 8-18 compete for prizes up to $500, as well as an opportunity to publish their entries on the EngineerGirl! Website. This year, contestants must describe in 1000 words or fewer how they’d survive being lost in a national forest using the contents of their backpack along with clothing or accessories worn and items in the environment to either (a) create a shelter, (b) gather food and water, or (c) try to get the attention of a rescue party. You can find the announcement, guidelines, and related information about the contest on the EngineerGirl! website:
http://www.engineergirl.org/CMS/Contest.aspx
Entries must be received by 6:00 PM on March 1, 2010. Essays will be judged on the basis of creativity, feasibility, and usefulness of the design as well as the author’s ability to communicate ideas. All entries are read by a panel of judges, whose selections are final.
