The DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition announced a new division and expanded grade levels for the 29-year-old competition: the new Elementary Division is open to students in grades K-5, the Junior Division is now open to students in grades 6-8 and the Senior Division is now open to students in grades 9-12, from across the United States, Canada and U.S. Territories.
The DuPont Challenge encourages students to develop a better understanding and passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) by researching and writing an informative essay offering solutions to today’s challenges regarding food, energy, protection and innovation, or a story on a science discovery.
The Elementary Division (grades K-5) asks teachers to help their students explore STEM topics in a classroom-based challenge that gives students the chance to participate in a creative, inquiry-based exploration. The challenges are based on the Next Generation Science Standards and ask students to research, observe, analyze, interpret and communicate creatively. Together, the teachers and students will show their imagination and originality by writing a science story about what they discovered. Submissions are accepted from Nov. 1, 2014, to March 1, 2015. More than $50,000 in prizes and awards for the winning students, teachers and schools are offered in the Elementary Division.
All students in the Junior and Senior Divisions (grades 6-12) may submit a 700–1,000-word essay, from Nov. 15, 2014, to Jan. 31, 2015, addressing one of the following four categories:
- Together, we can feed the world.
- Together, we can build a secure energy future.
- Together, we can protect people and the environment.
- Together, we can be innovative anywhere.
The DuPont Challenge offers more than $100,000 in prizes and awards for the Junior and Senior Divisions.
For more information, visit www.thechallenge.dupont.com
